Capt. Thomas R. Mooney, USN Ret.

Thomas R. Mooney, 67 of Chula Vista, CA passed away on June 11, 2012. He was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey on March 20, 1945. Tom graduated from Brick Township High School in Brick New Jersey. He graduated from Park College in Parkville, Missouri in 1967. After college Tom applied for Navy Officer Candidate School, in Newport RI in 1968. In 1970 Tom was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade. Tom served on the USS Chikaskia as First and Second Division Officer/Navigator/Assistant Operation officer. He served as the First Lieutenant/Combat Cargo Officer on the USS Holmes (LST-836). Then he went to U.S. Naval Destroyer School, in the Defense Language Institute. He graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1979 where he received his MA degree in National Security Affairs, Western European and Russian Studies. Eventually after serving in many positions Tom was designated as qualified for command and was promoted to Commander. His first command was on the USS Elliot (DD-967). Tom had a distinguished career receiving many meritorious awards. He was awarded the Legion of Merit 3 times, received the Meritorious Service Medal 3 times to mention a few. After 30 years and 12 days of service he retired from the U.S. Navy. He then plunged himself into his love, traveling with his friends of BMWOCSD motorcycle club. Tom was a member of the Chula Vista Presbyterian Church, sang in the choir and served on many committees. He is survived by his sister Jane McGuire, Barnegat, NJ, 3 brothers, Gerard Mooney and his wife Ruth, Middletown, PA, Ronald Mooney and his wife Jo Jo, Brick, NJ, James Mooney, Hawaii, 7 nieces, Michele Mooney, Stacy Veth, Cheryl Maguire, Doreen Wright, Melissa Mooney, Kristen Mooney, Renee Mooney and a nephew, Kevin McGuire. He was pre deceased by his sister Nathalie Malbaurn, and a brother Robert Mooney. There will be a service to honor Thomas' life at the Chula Vista Presbyterian Church in Chula Vista on Thursday, June 21 at 11 am. Interment with full Military Honors will take place on Monday, July 9, 2012 at 2:30 pm at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery Point Loma, San Diego, California.