LOUISBURG-Thomas "Tommy" B. Reed, 65, of Inez Township, N.C., died at Duke Hospital on July 14, 2017 surrounded by loved ones.

Tommy was born in Buffalo, N.Y. on June 23, 1952 and spent his childhood in the Reno/Lake Tahoe area. Tommy expressed interest in and was a teacher's assistant for automotive shop and music classes at Incline Village High School, where he graduated in 1970.

After graduating high school, Tommy entered the United States Air Force and trained in a multitude of military aircraft trades before becoming a flight engineer on the USAF C-130 Hercules aircraft. He traveled the world as a flight engineer, training with an intense work ethic that would define his military career, before stationing at Pope Air Force Base in Fayetteville, N.C. It was in North Carolina that Tommy met his wife of 32 years, Sandi Chambers Reed, where they lived until moving to Louisburg, N.C. in 2002.

Tommy remained active in his years after the military, working with his talents in cooking, construction, and aviation. He worked as a sous chef for many restaurants in North Carolina spanning from Fayetteville to Southern Pines to Wilmington, as well as a flight line employee for Midway and Delta airlines, and a stagehand/production carpenters for productions and concerts in Raleigh, N.C. In his later years, Tommy acted as head range officer for Frontline Defense firearms training center, where he devoted his time and effort to training others in firearm safety and tactics. Tommy always felt at ease when working towards a goal, and believed that teaching others was a valuable contribution to one's life.

Tommy is preceded in death by his father George Reed; his mother Gerry Cross; his many true and loved friends in military as well as his adopted father, George Herman Murphy, Jr.

Tommy is survived by his wife of 32 years Sandi Reed; his stepson James L. Waldrop, III and wife; David Reed, brother; 2 nieces, Dawn Reed Fuller (and her husband, John Fuller and their daughter, Nora Fuller), Tina Reed Gregoire {and her husband, Paul Gregoire and their daughters, Karli and Maria Gregoire}. Also survived by his adopted family of Louisburg: Margaret Murphy Avent, sister, and husband Jack Avent; sons Mason Rizzo {and Ashlee, wife}, Holden Gardner; Mother - Jerry Murphy, Lorene, sister {and husband Ray} King, and her children - Renee King Powers {and children - Blake and Naomi} and David King.

Organ donation was an important legacy in Tommy's life, as he spent the last 18 months extremely sick and awaiting liver and kidney transplants. Though he would not live long enough to secure these transplants, Tommy believed that life is precious and hoped that people will recognize the need for organ donation. In lieu of flowers, please contact your medical provider and make plans to donate organs after death, allowing life for people like Tommy to continue.

A military memorial will be held on July 29th, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at Lancaster Funeral Home in Louisburg, N.C. Following the ceremony, a celebration of life will be held at Frontline Defense Firearms Training Center in Inez/Warrenton, NC. Online condolences may be made to www.lancasterfcs.com.