Thomas Luther Chilton was born in Morristown, Tennessee on April 20, 1937 to George S. Chilton and Lucile J. Chilton. Tom grew up in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and was most notably a loving son, dependable brother, devoted father, cherished grandfather and proud great-grandfather. Following a full life of athletic accomplishment, academic achievement and worldwide travel, Tom passed away on February 14, 2022.
Tom began his illustrious track career at Oak Ridge High School, earning the title of Junior Olympics Champion, State Champion in High School Track, and was later inducted into the Oak Ridge Athletic Hall of Fame. Tom earned a scholarship to attend Tennessee Tech University where he completed his Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education. Tom was a member of the United States Olympic Training Team in 1968 and 1972 and a member of the United States Track Team in 1968, 1969 and 1972. Tom held the title as the National, Pan-American and World Champion Long Jumper as well as the World Record Holder for the Long Jump in multiple age categories. With little prompting, Tom could recount competing against and defeating track greats such as Ralph Boston, Bob Beamon and Lynn Davies. Following his track career at Tennessee Tech, Tom joined the Knoxville Track Club and competed at the national and international level until 1978. He was named the KTC Athlete of the Year, and was elected into the Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame. There was no bigger fan or supporter of Tom’s track career than his son Tommy who as a young child frequently had the best seat in the house to cheer on his dad. While track was Tom’s world, Tommy was his universe, and it was having Tommy by his side that gave him the most joy.
Tom earned his Masters in Education Administration from Tennessee Tech in 1966, and his Ed.D. in Health Education from the University of Tennessee in 1972. Tom moved to Mobile, Alabama and joined the University of South Alabama as Assistant Professor of Health, Physical Education and Leisure Studies. He was promoted to the role of professor and served as an associate dean of academic and financial affairs from 1986 to 2012. He served two terms as interim dean during this time. Following Tom’s “retirement”, he received the College of Education’s Distinguished Career Award and served as the director of international partnerships until 2021. He served as director of USA Online, assistant chair of Health and Physical Education, interim athletic director, golf coach, and chair of Health, Physical Education and Leisure Studies.
Incredibly, Tom never failed to have time for his family. As the leader of his siblings he cherished his time in Tennessee with his family and always enjoyed cruising the backroads to Oak Ridge in one of his beloved sports cars. He was a devoted father who could show up to a track meet with a sippy cup, play cars and a toddler and still manage to set records. As a grandfather his devotion to physical fitness proved to be an asset as he snow-skied, walked cross country meets and hiked golf courses regularly with his grandchildren. As a great-grandfather he took a delight, and more frequently amusement, in his great-grandsons. Tom knew his way around a race track and had a fearless love for speed, even at 84 years of age. Tom’s track career introduced him to world-wide travels, which he continued for most of his life, and there are very few corners of the globe that he did not explore. Tom finished his race, leaving behind a legacy of athleticism, academic advancement, a world touched and an adoring family who will all miss him terribly.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, George S. Chilton and Lucile J. Chilton.
He is survived by his son, Thomas L. Chilton (Rebecca), his grandchildren Olivia C. Wiggins (Cullen), Thomas Logan Chilton (Michelle) and W. Pierce Chilton; his great-grandchildren William Wiggins, Gaines Wiggins and Thomas L. Chilton, II; and siblings Ann Thacker (Tom), Mary Rhea (Ron), George S. Chilton, II, John R. Chilton, Becky Jenkins (Richard), Martha Whitson (Dan) and Sam Chilton.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the University of South Alabama Dr. Thomas L. Chilton Legacy Scholarship in Education Fund. Checks may be mailed to the Office of Development, 650 Clinic Drive, Ste. 1500, Mobile AL 36688, or online at the link below.
https://giving.southalabama.edu/chilton
Memorial service will be Thursday, February 17, 2:00pm Radney Funeral Home, 3155 Dauphin Street, Mobile, AL. A light reception will follow. Dr. Chilton will be interred in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
