Obituary for Thomas Charles Zaruba Sr. Thomas Charles Zaruba Sr., 86, of Colonial Heights, passed away on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at his residence. Born on November 27, 1932, in Newport News, he was the son of the late Richard August Zaruba Sr. and Antionette Serra Zaruba. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Vivian Williams Zaruba; an infant daughter, Patricia C. Zaruba; his brother, Richard August Zaruba Jr. and a nephew, Richard August Zaruba III.
Tom was a member of the 221st Army Band, while serving in the Army National Guard; and later with the 80th Division Army Band, while serving in the United States Army Reserve. He was a graduate of the Petersburg High School Class of 1951, and later worked for C&P Telephone, where he met his future wife, Vivian. He worked for Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp.
for 26 years, and later retired from the Virginia ABC Department with 10 years of service. Tom was a member of the Colonial Heights American Legion Post #284 and the Petersburg Old Geezers Organization (POGO). Our Dad was a lover of music and passed on that love to his children and grandchildren.
He was kind and gentle; he never met a stranger, was thankful for his friends and family, and always looked for the sunny side of life. He was the best breakfast maker and had an endless love for his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by six children, Katherine Z. Chambers (Thomas), Thomas C. Zaruba Jr. (Sherry), Judith Z. Slate (Tom), Johanna Z. Vaughan (Steve), Ellen Z. Constantine (Jeff) and John A. Zaruba (Missy); 12 grandchildren, Michael Temple (Melanie), Adam Temple (Abbey), Amanda Stoher (Glen), Lara Luebbers (Brandon), Noah Slate, Brittany Longest (Garrett), Courtney Schmitt (Taylor), Joshua Vaughan; Rebekah Crosby (Steven), Rachel Primm and Aidan & Charlotte Zaruba; eight great-grandchildren, Jayden Jefferson, Xavier Temple, Jaxon Gilley, Theodore Longest, Lindsey & Holland Schmitt and Carson & Wesley Crosby; two nieces, Amy Z. Cannon & Beth Z. Riffe and a nephew, Mark N. Zaruba.
A graveside service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, January 17, 2019 in Blandford Cemetery, 319 S. Crater Road, Petersburg, Virginia 23803 with a funeral procession leaving the funeral home at 11:30 a.m. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Thursday prior to the service at the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834. Tom’s family would like to thank Crater Community Hospice for their comfort and compassionate care and Michelle Faulk for her care and dedication to our Dad. A special thanks to Betty Freudig who selflessly devoted her time and nursing skills to a lifelong friend in his time of need.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Crater Community Hospice, 3916 South Crater Road, Petersburg, VA 23805, or the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517. Condolences may be registered at www. ealvinsmall.com.
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