Thomas Brooks Usrey, Jr.

PALM HARBOR, FL – On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, Mr. Thomas Broks Usrey, Jr., 93, passed away peacefully at Advent Health North Pinellas Hospital in Tarpon Springs, FL.

Services will be 11:00 AM, Thursday, June 11, 2026, by the graveside, with military honors at Gum Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Lilesville with Mr. Ken Caulder officiating.

The family will greet friends following the service at the cemetery.

Tom was born February 16, 1932, in Lilesville, NC and was the youngest child of the late Thomas Brooks Usrey and the late Berta Henry Usrey. He was a graduate of Lilesville High School. He was a life-long member of Gum Springs Baptist Church and although he lived away his adult life, he never moved his church membership yet attended church where he lived. His heart always belonged to Gum Springs Church and the community there.

Following high school graduation, Tom enlisted in the Untied States Air Force, serving three years. When he returned home from the Air Force, he enrolled in Wingate Junior College, graduating there with a two-year degree.

He developed a love for flying and airplanes and then enlisted in the United States Navy, serving for 6 years and earning Captain Wings. During his service with the military, he was awarded the Korean Service Medal, National Defense Medal, United Nations Medal and Good Conduct Medal.

Tom furthered his education at Texas A and I University and taught school in Texas. He taught calculus, physics and chemistry. It was during his teaching career that he learned of a job opportunity with Trans World Airlines (TWA) for pilots. He interviewed and was one of six hired with TWA, which is now American Airlines.

His career with TWA would span 25 years, living in Kansas City and later retiring to Florida as Captain with TWA.

Following retirement, he worked as a substitute teacher in Palm Harbor.

Tom made many friends in Palm Harbor and when he would meet his friends out for dinner or drinks, they often said, “The Captain is on the bridge.”

He always looked forward to trips back home to North Carolina and often hosted his family and friends for visits to Florida.

Those who are left to cherish his memory are his wife of 49 years, Toma Griffin Usrey; his children, Sonya Lucito of Tarpon Springs, Mark Usrey of Washington, DC, and Monica Caravati of Oakland, CA; 4 grandchildren; his nieces and nephews and their families and his cousin, Barbara Coggin who was more like a sister to him.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Dr. Thomas Brooks Usrey, III and by his sister and brother, Violet Usrey Lee and Harold Clay “Sonny” Usrey.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gum Springs Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o, Sarah Harrington, 1364 Haileys Ferry Rd. Lilesville, NC 28091.

The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com