Thomas Dale Lookabill, Sr.

AIKEN, SC -- THOMAS DALE LOOKABILL, SR., 59, beloved husband of Vickie Hess Lookabill, died Monday, September 8, 2008 at University Hospital, Augusta, GA. Born December 14, 1948 in Silver Spring, MD, Thomas Dale Lookabill Sr. was the only son of Joe H. Lookabill, WW II US Navy Veteran, and Anna Lee Lookabill, hard working member of the Communications Workers of America Union . He spent his childhood in Silver Spring, MD, until graduating with a B.S. degree from the University of Maryland in 1972. He then began a career in nuclear energy which led him to take part in the clean-up of Three Mile Island, in PA from 1980-1989. Upon completion of that contract, he settle in Aiken, SC as principle engineer at The Savannah River Site from 1990-2008, where he lived, with his devoted wife Vickie Lee (Hess) Lookabill, and their five children, Glenn, Brian, Sarah, Tommy and Joseph. He enjoyed small sports cars, owning British machines, such as the Triumph TR-6, and the Austin Healye Sprite throughout the 60's and 70's. After time to raise his family through the 80's and 90's, he recently returned to that passion for fun automobiles, by taking the wheel of his Mazda Miata. He was also a lifetime lover of the water, boating, and fishing, a passion acquired during youth with his parents on the Chesapeake Bay, MD. In addition, he enjoyed hunting, hiking, camping, canoeing, and biking. These skills were well used as Assistant Scoutmaster of his son's boy scout troops in Pennsylvania and South Carolina. He was a terrific carpenter and craftsman as well, who enjoyed tasks both small and large. He performed those tasks for both his own family and for others. "Tom" also possessed an unwavering sense of duty to God, community, and family. He regularly donated time to projects at South Aiken Presbyterian Church, and regularly visited the elderly. He served as phase representative on his home owner's association. He was an officer of his son's NJROTC booster club at South Aiken High School. In general, when help was needed, if possible, Tom was there. After a successful, happy, and honorable life, Tom was diagnosed with cancer in May of 2007. With the help of his wife and family he fought valiantly and successfully until unexpected effects from his treatment led to his hospital stay. There the battle intensified until his passing on September 8, 2008. All who knew him knew knew that every battle was fought with a smile. For that, and the way he lived his life, he was a hero to his family and friends. On the eve of his passing, his daughter, who recently graduated from the College of Charleston and returned to the family home to assist in their needs, created the following tribute. Finally At Home on the Chesapeake I sail my boat upon the sea, The Chesapeake, she calls to me, Asking me to journey on her waves, Saying,"Take it easy", my soul she saves. For as these Blues jump 'round my boat, The crabs are calling, my spirit floats. And I have found my peace, of this I'm sure, For the Bay she calls me, and I hurt no more. To my delight, rods and lines pull everywhere, I do not fret of my absence with you there. In a place of bounty, where all is right, Gladly my soul moves into the light. With salt in the air and sand 'neath my toes, There's no sweeter place that this man knows. If your night feels unclear, my beacon will shine, To remember all of you I love, left behind. One day we'll all meet in that starry night, But until then carry on my fight. And my captain's calling as dawn breaks free, I'm home for sure, so don't cry for me. So I sail my boat upon the sea, For the Chesapeake, she calls to me. - SFL, 2008 This writing clearly demonstrates it's inspiration, only possible through the true heartfelt emotion shared by all who knew him. In his passing, Tom will be dearly missed, but not forgotten. Survivors in addition to his wife Vickie and his father Joe, both of Aiken, include a daughter, Sarah Fay Lookabill, Aiken, four sons, Glenn Joseph (Jenny) Lookabill, Gettysburg, PA, Brian John (Catharine) Lookabill, Lexington, KY, Thomas Dale Lookabill, Jr. and Joseph Andrew Lookabill, both of Aiken, and three grandchildren, Hunter Gene Lookabill, Sierra Lee Lookabill and Cole Peterson Lookabill. He was predeceased by two children, Rebecca Sue and Daniel Lee Lookabill. Funeral services will be held Friday at 11:00 AM at South Aiken Presbyterian Church with The Reverend Christopher L. Crotwell officiating. A private interment will take place prior to the service in the Historic Bethany Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM Thursday at Shellhouse - Rivers Funeral Home, 715 East Pine Log Rd, Aiken, SC. Memorial contributions may be directed to The University Health Care Foundation for Cancer Care, 2100 Central Ave., Suite D1, Augusta, GA 30904 or to South Aiken Presbyterian Church, 1711 Whiskey Rd., Aiken, SC 29803. Please visit the online guest register at www.shellhouseriversfuneralhome.com . To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas Dale Lookabill, Sr., please visit our flower store.