Linnaeus "Tom" Thomas Callaway

Tom Callaway passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 20, 2023. Tom was born April 8, 1927 in the family home in Clermont, NJ to Edward and Mabel Callaway. Tom is the last surviving child of his 6 siblings. While a senior in high school Tom enlisted in the U.S. Navy, became a landing craft coxswain and participated in the invasion of Okinawa and le Shima Japan. Tom had an illustrious career in the Navy. He worked his way from seaman to an LOD Officer. After World War II he helped liberate Chinese POW’S from Japan. In 1951, while in the Philippines, he rescued a survivor of a military air crash. He participated in the Cuban Missile Blockade of 1962 Tom received an accelerated promotion from Lieutenant to Lieutenant Commander. In 1969 Tom received one of the Navy’s greatest honors and became the commander of a ship. He was the commander of the USS Utina for 3 years. Tom retired after 29 years in the Navy with 21 years of sea duty. After the Navy Tom was employed by the City of Chesapeake, VA for 19 years as their Right-of-Way Agent. Tom and Jean spent their golden years enjoying the golf and social life at Greenbrier Country Club in Chesapeake. When not playing golf, Tom could be found puttering in his garden. Tom and his sweetheart Jean had 57 years of happily married life until her passing from breast cancer in 2012. Tom is survived by daughter, Lynn Fues (Brian); son, Scott (Liz); and 3 grandchildren, Chase Callaway, Courtney Smith (Rob) and Anna Fues. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to firsttee.org. Or to honor Tom’s memory, take your “Arnold Palmer” tea outside and let the sunshine warm you while feeling nature’s beauty surrounding you.