Thomas Foster Whanger, 87, of Newport News, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 17, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
Tom was born in Fayetteville, West Virginia, to A.E. Whanger and Beatrice Foster Whanger. He grew up in Fayetteville and graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1957. At just 17 years old, Tom enlisted in the United States Navy, where he proudly served as an electrician aboard the USS Saufley (DD-465), stationed in Key West, Florida. After four years of service, he returned to West Virginia to attend West Virginia Institute of Technology in Montgomery, now part of West Virginia University.
Following graduation, Tom began his teaching career at Langley High School in Fairfax, Virginia, before accepting a position with Boeing in Seattle, Washington. On December 28, 1966, he married the love of his life, Joan Katherine Shelton of Oak Hill, West Virginia. The newlyweds drove across the country to Seattle, where they lived for a year before settling in Newport News, Virginia, in 1967. Together, Tom and Joan built a beautiful life, raising four children and celebrating 50 years of marriage in 2016, just one year before Joan’s passing in 2017.
Starting in the 1960s, he developed a passion for family history and eventually connected with Samuel Wenger of Lancaster, PA, who was publishing a comprehensive family history book. Our division of the family had been lost for years following a last name spelling change in the 1800s. After endless hours on the phone with multiple distant cousins, Tom’s passion for this came to fruition when our entire family was included in the publishing of the Wenger Book in 1978. He enjoyed going to the Annual Wenger Reunion each year since then.
Tom & Joan moved to Newport News for an opportunity to work at Newport News Shipbuilding, but his passion for education soon led him back to the classroom. In 1970, he helped open Menchville High School, where he taught Technology Education for more than three decades. Taking night classes over a period of several years after work, he achieved his Masters Degree from Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA. During the final years of his teaching career, he also taught at Reservoir and Dozier Middle Schools before retiring.
Tom picked up extra jobs in his off time so that Joan could stay home for many years and raise their 4 children. He worked summers as the pool manager at Robinson-Bruton Pool, he taught night classes on TV repair at Fort Eustis, he worked nights at the Newport News School Print Shop, he was a videographer for all MHS Football games, worked the clock for MHS Basketball games and Wrestling matches, he volunteered at the Virginia Living Museum, and he worked at Lowes in the Electrical Department for over 15 years.
While Tom dedicated his professional life to education, his lasting legacy may be most evident in his contributions to competitive swimming on the Virginia Peninsula. Affectionately known as the “Father of High School Swimming on the Peninsula,” Tom was instrumental in establishing high school swim teams in Newport News. Through his determination, persistence, and tireless advocacy before the Newport News City Council, funding was finally secured in the late 1980s, creating opportunities for generations of young swimmers.
Tom became the first head swim coach at Menchville High School, leading the team to its first district championship in 1990. Under Coach Whanger’s leadership, Menchville’s boys’ and girls’ teams captured district championships for six consecutive years, from 1998 through 2003. When regional championships were introduced in 2001, Menchville claimed both the boys’ and girls’ regional titles in 2001 and 2002. By the time he retired from coaching in 2004, Tom had compiled an extraordinary combined record of 232-15-3, including six Eastern Region championships and 13 district meet titles.
His impact extended far beyond wins and championships. Tom was a dedicated coach, mentor, and advocate who believed in giving young athletes the opportunity to compete, grow, and succeed. His contributions helped shape high school swimming on the Peninsula, leaving a legacy that continues to benefit student-athletes today.
Above all, Tom was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He took tremendous pride in his family and found great joy in supporting his children and grandchildren in their many activities and accomplishments. Whether coaching, officiating, or cheering from the sidelines, he was a familiar face at countless swim meets over the years. His involvement spanned numerous teams and organizations, including Glendale Gators, Warwick Yacht and Country Club, James River Country Club, Coast Guard Blue Dolphins, Menchville High School, Old Dominion University, the University of Virginia, and North Carolina State University.
When he wasn’t at a swim meet, Tom could often be found tending to his garden, spending time with his beloved Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, or enjoying his beach house on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. He treasured time spent with family and the many memories made together over the years.
Tom leaves behind a loving family who will forever cherish his memory: his four children, Elizabeth Hoffman (Howard), Laura Morello (Kevin), David Whanger (Sarah), and Thomas Whanger (Kathleen); and his 12 grandchildren, Mary Cate and Charlie Hoffman; Maddie (fiance Zach), Claire, and Grady Morello; Arona, Hayes, and Lena Whanger; and Barret, Joslyn, Phoebe, and Serene Whanger. He is also survived by his sister, Jan Neal, along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Joan Katherine Shelton Whanger; his parents, A.E. and Beatrice Foster Whanger; his sister, Sara (Sally) Whanger Capodilupo, his brother, Richard (Dick) Elton Whanger, and his in-laws, Dr. James and Mary Shelton of Oak Hill, West Virginia.
We extend a special thank you to his dear friend and companion of nine years, Polly Holden, for her love, friendship, and unwavering presence in his life. A special thank you is extended to his brother-in-law, Rick Shelton, who was always there as a supportive family member. The family would also like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Tom’s caregivers, Elaine and Tiffany, for their compassion, kindness, and dedicated care they provided during his final weeks.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Menchville High School in support of its athletic programs in memory of Tom Whanger.
Tom’s legacy lives on through the family he loved, the students he taught, the swimmers he coached, and the countless lives he touched along the way.
