On Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, Thomas Berry “T-Berry” Reed, 61, of Williamsburg, passed from this earth to his eternal reward in heaven at the Sentara Heart Hospital, Norfolk.
Tom was born Dec. 5, 1957, in Newport News to Elvin Rogers and Anne Mercedes (Smith) Reed. He was an exceptionally gifted and much loved HVAC technician and worked for Kearney and Sons Inc. of Hampton for over 20 years. On July 16, 2005, he married Laura Elizabeth Sherman-McGee in York County.
Tom loved to work with his hands and could fix anything. However, before fixing, he had to tear apart. This began at the age of seven when he made a car from the motor he removed from his sister’s doll. His mother also told of a time when Tom had completely disassembled their new video camera and had the parts laid out on the dining room table. He did this just to find out how it worked.
Later in life, he rewired a Barbie electric ride on car’s power and speed control from the foot pedal to a push button on the steering wheel for his then two-year-old granddaughter who was born with spina bifida. He could revive dead computers and taught himself how to repair tablets and cell phones. Tom’s mechanical genius caused him to be a highly requested and much loved HVAC technician.
Again, there was nothing he could not fix. He had an arsenal of parts, some decades old, that he would dig through to either repair obsolete units or keep newer units running while circuit boards or other harder-to-get parts could be ordered.
Tom worked hard and loved deeply. He had the patience of a saint and never said an unkind word about anybody. His cup was always half full, as he found the good in everything. He also brought out the good in everyone and was a gift from God to his second family. His death has left a crater which can and will be filled with all of the fun and wonderful things he did.
In addition to his devoted wife, Tom is survived by his son, Dalton Berry Reed, whereabouts unknown. Tom’s second family left to mourn him consists of two step-daughters, Stephanie (Aaron) Voris of Tennessee and Jillian (Michael Thornburg) McGee of Williamsburg; and three grandchildren, Alexandra George of Yorktown and Madison and Gabriel Thornburg of the family home. Tom is also survived by his sister, Donna Rogers, and her sons, Justin and Zachary, of Newport News; and brother, William (Kimberly) Reed, and their children, Sarah and Tyler, of Kentucky.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 4, 2019, in Peninsula Memorial Park, Newport News. A celebration of Tom’s life will be held at the family home the following day.
Memorial donations may be made to Jamestown Presbyterian Church, 3287 Ironbound Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188.
Share online condolences with the family at Nelsen Funeral Home.
