Obituary of James Thomas Sydnor

James Thomas Sydnor, Jr. of Lynchburg, Virginia died Wednesday, April 10, 2013. He was the husband of the late Betty Normant Lumbye Sydnor. He was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on November 24, 1920, the son of the late James Thomas Sydnor and Louise Garnett Hilliard Sydnor. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Roberta Louise Sydnor Hunt of Mount Sterling, Kentucky. He is survived by three children: Anne-Gardner Sydnor of Gaithersburg, Maryland. Robert Wingfield Sydnor, M.D. and wife Joan of Lynchburg and Barbara Louise Sydnor of Charlottesville. Seven grandchildren: Elizabeth- Blair Sydnor Schulz (Kurt), Raphael Vincent Laurant Sydnor ( Sarah), Quin Tyler Cain Hackett (William) Sarah Clayton Sydnor Tangen (Travis), Emily Taliaferro Sydnor, Eric Randolph Schulman and Ann Domatilla Schulman. He also is survived by three great grandchildren and his devoted and much loved friend, Josephine Bailey Woods.. Tom graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School, Richmond, Virginia in 1939. He graduated from V.P.I. in 1943 with a degree in mechanical and aeronautical engineering. He volunteered his service to his country during World War II in the Army Air Corps, 387th. Fighter Squadron, landing on Utah Beach during the invasion of Normandy, France. He fought in France, Germany, Belgium and Czechoslovakia, engaging in seven battles including the Battle of the Bulge. He attained the rank of major. During his lifetime, service to his country came second only to service to his family. Tom was an engineer with Exxon Corporation for forty years. He worked throughout Virginia surveying equipment and troubleshooting mechanical problems in industrial plants as well as teaching classes on maintenance. He was an elder of Quaker Presbyterian Church where he taught Sunday School during the sixties. He was a devoted member of the Lynchburg Host Lions Club, A Lions club member for 65 years with perfect attendance. He held many offices at the local and regional levels. He was awarded Life Member status with two international awards and two state awards. The club also awarded him the prestigious Melvin Jones award with diamond pin- the highest award achievable. Tom was also a life member of Lynchburg Master Gardeners Club. He was past president of the Lynchburg Men's Horticulture Club, and past member of the Richmond Toastmasters Club. Tom was proficient in woodworking and made many family pieces. He enjoyed a long life of hunting, fishing, working in his yard and traveling. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. The memorial service will be held at Quaker Presbyterian Church at 1:00 PM, Tuesday, April 16, followed by a Reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, friends my consider memorials to the Lynchburg Host Lions Club, 5957 Hines Circle, Lynchburg, VA. 24502 or to Quaker Presbyterian Church, 5810 Fort Ave., Lynchburg, VA. 24502 Condolences may be made to diugudfuneralservice.com Diuguid Funeral Service and Crematory, Wiggington Chapel, 385-8900, in charge of arrangements.