Thomas Matthew Beall

Thomas Matthew Beall (Tommy, Tom, Dad, Pop-Pop)

June 30, 1937 – June 9, 2021

On Wednesday June 9, 2021, Tom passed away from complications due to kidney and heart failure at the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center, surrounded by his family.

Born June 30, 1937 to Dorothy Hohman Beall and Wilbur Beall at Georgetown Hospital in Washington DC. Tom was raised in the house built by his grandfathers, Thomas Beall and Frank Hohman on 9209 Saybrook Avenue, Silver Spring. This house remained in the family for 75 years. Tom was a big brother and became a father figure to his sisters Carolyn, Barbara and Linda when they lost their father, Wilbur, when Tom was in his twenties.

Tom attended St. John’s College Military High School, graduating in 1955, where he took the bus from the district line to Vermont Ave and would occasionally hitchhike. He loved the uniform and drills, which led him to serve in the Air Force Reserves. Tom also delivered mail during this time, working under his father, who was one of the first mail carriers in Silver Spring.

Following graduation, Tom briefly attended Loyola College in Baltimore where he played lacrosse. He then attended the University of Maryland College Park graduating in 1962 with a Bachelors in Political Science followed by post graduate study.

Tom met Carol thru mutual friends dining out in Baltimore. They continued dating while Carol finished nursing school there. Tom like to impress her with fine dining downtown, but more often enjoyed a night at Ledo Pizza, which remains a family tradition. 

Following college, Tom worked in the government intelligence community his entire career.  He started as a background investigator who traveled the country, and advanced to an intelligence analyst who traveled the world.

Eldest son Scott was born in 1964, followed by Karen in 1965, Tim in 1969 and Allen in 1970.  Allen was born when the family was living in Taiwan while Tom was on assignment. Living in Taiwan with a young family in those days was not easy, but the experience was formative, leaving an imprint on the entire family. Tom brought his family back to the house on 72nd Ave in Hyattsville, then moved to 2837 Belair Drive in Bowie in 1973.

In Bowie, Tom took on home improvement projects with a fervor. With the assistance of Carol’s father Walt, they built a family room, treehouse, jungle gym, workshop, and finished out a porch complete with bar, fireplace and indoor pool. Tom also did extensive genealogy during this time, writing about his family who arrived in Maryland in 1668 and who’s house and farm was appropriated prior to the Battle of Fort Stevens in 1864.

In 1982, Tom took another assignment and brought the family to England for 3 years, with Scott staying behind for college.  Tom served as president of the officer’s club and made many new friends. The family was also able to travel throughout Europe extensively.

Tom loved entertaining but especially loved spending time with a large extended family brought together by his Mother (“Mom”). Mom and her siblings Jack, Paul and Helen were the life of every party and the backbone of the family. As they passed, along with his sister Linda, it left a void that was hard to fill. Soon, Tom became the center of his own family, as grandchildren grew up knowing him as Pop-Pop. 

Tom met more of Mom’s family a few years ago through online genealogy and DNA testing.  His uncle, William, was killed in WWII before the family knew of his children.  Meeting Dad’s new cousins William (Bill), Dorothy (Dot) and Eleanor was a joy for him.  They brought the past into the present and completed the family tree.

Tom’s years of travel, camping and beach trips gradually slowed with age, but family remained, and time at home was enriched by a passion for reading, music, British TV and online shopping. Tom’s health took a turn this year in March, landing him in the hospital with many complications. He fought hard, and despite long odds, he made it home. Those months with Tom were a miracle and we thank God for that gift. Tom was a good man with a big heart who was much loved by family and friends and will be greatly missed.

Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the International Myeloma Foundation, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Church of the Resurrection St. Vincent De Paul Society. 

 

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