Thomas A. Millard Jr.

Thomas A. Millard Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2024, at the age of 81. Born on October 17, 1943, Thomas lived a life of purpose, passion, and profound dedication to his family and to the advancement of human achievement in space exploration.

A cornerstone of his professional life was his distinguished career at NASA, where he served from 1978 until his retirement in 2015. Over the decades, Thomas played a vital role in supporting manned spaceflight and other groundbreaking orbital projects, helping to push the boundaries of human knowledge and exploration. His contributions were a testament to his unyielding work ethic, ingenuity, and belief in the power of collaboration.

Beyond his remarkable professional accomplishments, Thomas will be remembered as a steadfast and inspirational figure in the lives of those who knew him. His family was his greatest joy, and he approached his roles as husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather with boundless love and generosity. He also cultivated friendships that spanned decades, known for his kindness, wisdom, and infectious enthusiasm for life.

Thomas’s legacy is one of inspiration, both for the monumental work he achieved in the field of space exploration and for the love and mentorship he provided to his family and friends.

He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Patricia; daughter, Ronda McKinney (Mark) of Asheville; sons, David Millard (Stephanie) of La Plata, MD, and James McAninch of Fairview; four grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and countless extended family and friends. Each of whom will continue to cherish his memory and honor his remarkable life.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father, two sisters, and his daughter.

A celebration of Thomas’s life will be held on Saturday, November 23 at Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Rd., where family, friends, and colleagues are invited to gather, share memories, and pay tribute to an extraordinary man who touched so many lives. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., with the service following at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Thomas’s memory to Alzheimer’s Association. His vision, dedication, and love will forever inspire those who follow in his footsteps.

Rest in peace, Thomas A. Millard Jr. Your impact will echo through the generations.