Thomas Burke Boies, Jr., 96 of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at the Martinsburg VA Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 8 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Bible Fellowship, 15 Faith Way, Front Royal, Virginia. Inurnment will be private.
Thomas was born November 22, 1926 in Winchester to the late Thomas Burke, Sr. and Mabel Boies of Front Royal, Virginia.
He was married for 67 years to his loving wife, Mary Lou Boies, who preceded him in death in January 2023.
Thomas served 20 years in the U.S. Navy on five different ships, including two years on President Harry S. Truman’s yacht. He went to Camp David (Shangri-La) while serving with the president. He retired in 1963, while serving on the USS Saint Paul, which was used to film some of the footage for the movie “In Harm’s Way” with John Wayne and Kirk Douglas. The actors and film crew ate meals with the sailors.
He was in the battle of Okinawa in 1945 and the Philippine liberation effort and received many medals. He was a veteran of World War II, the Korean War and early Viet Nam war. Thomas was a lifetime member of the Giles B. Cook Post 53 American Legion in Front Royal.
He was our loving father and a warrior of our country.
Surviving is his younger brother, Joe Boies of Santa Fe, New Mexico; daughter, Julie Nowell and husband Mike Nowell of Front Royal, Virginia; son, Thomas Burke Boies, III and wife Cindy Boies of Front Royal, Virginia; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 8 at the church from 10-11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Grace Bible Fellowship, 15 Faith Way, Front Royal, Virginia 22630.
REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER
YOU WERE A GREAT WARRIOR
WE WERE ALWAYS PROUD OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Hi Joe,so very sorry to hear of Thomas'(Slim) passing. My family lived beside your parents growing up. Lots of great memories.
Your accomplishments speak for themselves. I am proud of you as my mothers brother and my uncle. Rest in peace, you will be missed.
As a friend of the Boies family since childhood, it was a privilege to have known you. You were an idol to us growing up, along with your “movie star looks”. Thank you for your service and may you rest in peace.
Tom
Sorry to hear about your dads passing. I pray for comfort and peace
for you and your family during this difficult time. God Bless