Thomas C. Loockerman, Msgt Retired USAF passed away peacefully at Bay Health, Sussex Campus on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022; he was 91. Born Feb 8, 1931 in Greenwood, he graduated from Bridgeville High School in 1949 and after a short stint at DuPont Company in Seaford, he joined the Air Force. He was a proud veteran and retired after 20 years. During his career as a radar operator, Tom was stationed in many states including combat service in Vietnam and Korea. Awards include: Good Conduct (Army) National Defense, Korean Defense Service, Vietnam Service, Two Air Force Commendations, Vietnam Campaign and USAF Good Conduct.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 40 years, Shirley Brown Loockerman, parents Lewis and Martha (Tiley) Loockerman, brother William Loockerman and his wife, Dorothy Priestley Loockerman and a brother lost in infancy, Robert Lee.
He is survived by his daughter Denise Tatman (Morris Lee) of Bridgeville, a son, Dennis Loockerman (Debi) of Austin, TX, his grandchildren Allison Tatman (Jason Dean), Coral Loockerman, Lev Flowers (formerly Amber Loockerman), and great-grandson Austin Dean, nieces Carol Warren and Robin Wroten, nephew Earl Loockerman and their families.
He loved woodworking and made several items for family members and toys with a woodworking group to give to kids at Christmas. He was a Master Gardner and worked with the University of Delaware Extension office in Georgetown. He helped the VFW with their Chicken BBQ for many years. He enjoyed meeting people. He loved antique cars and was an Antique Car Club judge along with his wife Shirley. They judged car shows in many states. He enjoyed going to Shades of Green at Walt Disney World to golf and relax in the winter. He loved to travel and spent time in all 50 states. During his time in the Air Force, he was stationed in Alaska, Korea, Kansas, California, Nevada and Vietnam. He was an NRA lifetime member, Life member Antique Automobile Club of America, and member of Greenwood VFW Post #7478. He loved to garden and sit on the porch with his miniature Schnauzer, Anne.
A graveside service will be held on Monday, Aug. 29 at 1 p.m. at Saint Johnstown Cemetery in Greenwood.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to the Greenwood VFW Post 7478, 301 Mills St., Greenwood, DE 19950.