Thomas Andrew Staley, beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend of many, passed away on April 26, 2022. Born in Macon, GA, September 28, 1924, to James Hosmer and Edna Merritt (Booley) Staley. Tom’s family moved from Macon, Ga to Oviedo, FL in 1937. He graduated from Oviedo High School in 1943 and enlisted in the Navy. After boot camp and sonar school he was assigned to the USS Stern DE187. He participated in the amphibious landings at Leyte, Luzon, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was proud of the fact that he witnessed the raising of the first flag on Iwo Jima. After his Navy service he became Production Manager of Zellwin Farms Company in Zellwood, Fl and retired after 34 years in 1988. He then ran and was elected as Orange County Commissioner and retired after eight years of service representing Northwest Orange County.
He is survived by his wife, Norma Lou Norton Staley, son Marcus Andrew Staley (Nancy), daughter in law Linda Staley. Five grandchildren, Ben Staley, Tim Staley, Marc Staley, Tammy Cuthrell and Taylor Wise and six great grandchildren. He is also survived by three stepchildren, Wayne Norton, Catherine Plunkett and Susan Norton (Tiffany Daniels) and five step grandchildren and three step great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Martha Carraway Staley, his son James (Mac) Staley, daughter Celeste Staley and two great grandchildren.
Viewing and services will be held at Zellwood United Methodist Church, Saturday, April 30, 2022. Viewing starting at 10:30AM, service at 11:00AM. Please stay and join the family for fellowship and lunch, catered by Sonny’s BBQ.
A formal military funeral is scheduled for Monday, May 2, 2022, at 10:00AM, at Highland Memory Gardens, Apopka, FL.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tommy’s memory to Zellwood United Methodist Church or Advent Health Hospice.
https://www.adventhealth.com/foundation/adventhealth-foundation-central-florida/donate-hospice-care