Thomas “Tom” W. Efford

Tom grew up in Connecticut and graduated from Stratford High School. After graduation, his family moved to South Georgia where he entered the Army. Tom was stationed in Washington, D.C., with the 3rd infantry, the “Old Guard,” serving as part of the presidential honor guard. He also spent significant time with the All-Army Rifle Team, setting two national records and an inter-service record. Upon discharge he attended Valdosta State College (now University) where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry.

Tom worked 37 years with Sprague Electric and United Chemi-Con in the electronic components manufacturing business. During that time, he held several positions including Worldwide Marketing Manager, Vice President of Technology and Vice President of Operations. During his career he was awarded two U.S. patents, presented technical seminars worldwide, managed a workforce of several hundred and had profit and loss responsibility for a multi-million-dollar budget. 

He served as president of the Ashe Memorial Hospital Foundation Board and as president of the Ashe Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees. He was also on the boards for Summit Services, the Civic Center, and Florence Thomas Memorial Art School Foundation. Tom’s retirement job was with the ABC store in West Jefferson, where he started helping at the register and ended as the finance manager.

Tom enjoyed music, recreational shooting, fishing, carpentry and helped several people manage their computers.

Tom is survived by his wife, Phyllis, daughter Kim Cooper, son-in-law Emmanuel, and granddaughter Gabby, sister-in-law Beverly (Lowry) Merck, nephew Kevin (Heather) Merck and their children Kathryn and Will, niece Kelly (Noah) Sheedy and their children Beckett and Miller. He also has several surviving cousins.

The family will receive friends on Friday, September 6, 2024 from 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm at Ashelawn Memorial Chapel in Jefferson. The funeral service will be held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in West Jefferson on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 2:00 pm. Officiating will be The Reverend Perry Hildreth.

Memorials may be made to: The Episcopal Parish of the Holy Communion, PO Box 177, Glendale Springs, NC 28629, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.