Thomas William Larkin Obituary (1944 - 2014)

Thomas William Larkin, 70, of Gulf Breeze, Florida and formerly of Towanda, died Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at Atlanta Medical Center South Campus, East Point, Georgia after a long illness.His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 25th, at St. Patrick Church of Merna, Bloomington, with Monsignor Gerald T. Ward officiating. Military rites will be accorded by the Bloomington-Normal American Legion Honor Guard. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Merna. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Monday, March 24th at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Patrick Church of Merna.Tom was born January 30, 1944 at St. Josephs Hospital in Bloomington, to William Thomas and Maria Rita Owens Larkin. Tom is survived by his wife, Gale Boyd Larkin, and their two children, Captain John Dennis Larkin, United States Army, currently stationed in South Korea, and Ingle Maria Larkin of Marietta, Georgia. Tom was previously married to Kathleen Daly, with whom he has three children, Bridget Mary Larkin, Margaret Ann Larkin, and Thomas William Larkin, Jr., all of Bloomington, Illinois. He is also survived by five grandchildren and nine siblings, Marita (Skip)Lellbach, Richard (Betty) Larkin, Martha Larkin, Jane (David) Bender, James (Susan) Larkin, David Larkin, Joseph Larkin, Veronica (John) ODoherty, Mary (Murray Maltby) Larkin.Tom was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, John Dennis Larkin.Tom graduated from the University of Illinois, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1966, and later earned two Masters degrees from Georgia State University. Tom proudly served his country in the Vietnam War, and was the recipient of the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. He continued to serve in the U.S. Army and the Army National Guard, retiring as a Colonel. Tom was an accomplished pilot and boatman, and a lifelong member of the 174th Assault Helicopter Company (A.H.C.).