Obituary – Thomas L. Semmes
Thomas L. Semmes
WEWAHITCHKA, FL – Thomas L. Semmes, aged 77, of Wewahitchka, born Oct. 15, 1947 in Enterprise, AL, joined his Heavenly Father on Oc. 25, 2024.
He served a distinguished career in the U.S. Army – starting as a Crew Chief, in Vietnam, and concluding his last six years as White House Communications Specialist for Presidents Reagan and Bush, retiring as Chief Warrant Officer 3.
During his military career, he and his family lived in Alabama, Texas, New Jersey, Germany, Georgia, Kentucky and Virgina. Tom was well known for civic activities and serving his community. His favorite hobbies were gardening, antiquing and traveling.
He was a member of Westside Baptist Church (Treasurer and Deacon), Wewahitchka Friends of the Library (Treasurer), Wewahitchka Historical Society (Treasurer), the Republican Party of Gulf County and he single handedly ran the Wewahitchka Chamber of Commerce for three years.
Tom is survived by his wife, Dianne, with whom he shared 55 years of marriage. He is also survived by his daughters Allison Semmes, of Camden, SC, and Amy Semmes, of Centreville, VA; his brother John Semmes, of Wewahitchka, FL, and his grandsons Zachary Irby and Jacob Irby, of Jacksonville, FL. He also leaves behind sisters-in-law Teresa Lykins (Louie) and Kathie Semmes; brother-in-law Billy Raker (Jennifer) and nephews Shane Semmes, Wewahitchka, FL, Carl Lykins, Bucyrus, OH, and Jeffrey Semmes, Panama City, FL.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh and Madge (Jones) Semmes, his brother, Glenn Semmes, and his grandson, Nicholas Irby.
Services are scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. CT at Westside Baptist Church in Wewahitchka with Rev.Joey Smith officiating.
All arrangements are under the direction of Marlon Peavy at Peavy Funeral Home in Blountstown.
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