Thomas H. Alston

He attended elementary schools in Gatlinburg,Tennessee, and Bryson City, North Carolina, and high school in Swain County, North Carolina. He played high school football, basketball, solfball, and baseball during his high school years.

Tom worked at an auto plant in Detroit, Michigan, before joining the Navy where he served as a communications technician. After his discharge from the Navy he worked for a while at a power plant in Aiken, South Carolina.

He then underwent training at an electronic correspondence school and then a training school for Univac computers. He worked for 27 years at Sperry Rand/Univac/Unisys--- a company in early years of the computer industry that merged and underwent a number of name changes. This meant a number of job transfers to different location for Tom.

Tom met Kathleene Rankhorn Newby in 1967 at a dance at Pat and Lib's Nightclub in Knoxville, Tennessee. They were married on December 21, 1968 in Knoxville.

Tom served as a Deacon at the Woodstock Presbyterian Church, assisting with building and grounds issues, mowing the lawn, painting, cleaning the facility, and whatever else he could do.

He and Kathye have special memories of vacations in their early marriage, times spent with friends, parties, watchingsports, golfing,country music, dancing, Bible studies, and just the two of them in time spent at home. He and Kathye celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on December 21, 2018.

Tom's parents and siblings have preceded him in death. He has a few out-of-town cousins who survive: Gertrude Brockman, Geraldine Howard, Mildred Keeler and Laura Sadler Olin.

Tom was a very grateful for the parishioners of Woodstock Presbyterian Church. He mentioned the Woodstock church family was always ready to help him and Kathye no matter what the circumstances. He also expressed his gratitude for Kathye's love and care through all their years together.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.winkenhoferpineridgefuneralhome.com for the Alston family.