Thomas D. Eldredge "Tom", 81 of Ormond Beach, died peacefully and surrounded by his loving wife and family on March 15 ^th , 2021.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 28 ^th , at TBD at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery. Tom was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to parents John & Glenrose Eldredge on January 3, 1940. He joined the United States Navy at age 18 and served for 20 years as a Helicopter Aviation Machinist aboard several aircraft carriers and helicopter squadrons in San Diego, Quonset Point, Norfolk, Pensacola, and Jacksonville. During his career, he achieved the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer, was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, and enjoyed singing in the Navy Choir. He earned two degrees from the University of North Florida: a B.A. in Business Administration and a B.S. in Information Systems. After retiring from the military, he continued his career for 10 years as an Aviation Engineer working for NAESU in Mayport, FL.

Tom met Margaret Louise Overend, the love of his life, in December of 1963.  They were married on August 8 ^th , 1964 at Christ Episcopal Church in Westerly, Rhode Island. Tom was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother. Throughout his life, he was an avid church goer who served as a lay speaker in his church. He enjoyed serving his community by volunteering for Meals on Wheels, reading the bible to those who were homebound, and working as a paraprofessional with the Jackson County High School ROTC. He loved woodworking and tinkering in his garage. He always had a project he was working on, most recently making wooden crosses for his local church. Tom loved John Deere tractors, Ford Mustangs, the Green Bay Packers, spoiling his grandchildren, and doting on his beautiful wife.

Tom is survived by his wife of 57 years, Margaret Louise Eldredge. Children: Thomas Eldredge II (Janice), Ann Wilson (Ken). Grandchildren: Abby Mondin (Aldo), Brittany Starnes (Amanda), John Eldredge, Brandon Wilson, and Bradley Wilson. Great Grandchild: Winston Mondin. Sisters: Anne Haley, Jill Moscoso, Jean Paskiet, and Sue Freistedt. Brother-in-Law: Joseph Overend, and many nieces and nephews.

The family of Tom wishes to extend their sincere thanks and gratitude to the hospitalists, nurses, nurse technicians, and staff at AdventHealth and Stewart Meyer Hospice House for taking such good care of him and being so gracious to us with their time and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (lls.org) .

Arrangements are under the care of Lohman Funeral Home Ormond Beach. Condolences for the family may be shared at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com .