THE REV. THOMAS LaFAYETTE ARLEDGE, JR's Obituary
PERRY –
The Rev. Thomas LaFayette Arledge, Jr., passed away at home on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, after an extended illness. Tom was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on October 6, 1938, to the late Thomas L. Arledge, Sr., and the late Anna Louise Brown Arledge. He attended the University of Tennessee, earning a Batchelor of Science in Metalurgical Engineering in 1961 and a Master of Science in 1963. Upon graduation, he worked at Lockheed in Marietta, Georgia, for four years. While there, his longing to enter the full-time ministry of the Episcopal Church grew, so Tom moved his young family to the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee. He graduated from St. Luke's Seminary in 1970 and was ordained to the Diaconate at St. James Episcopal Church in Marietta, Georgia. Soon after, the Diocese of Atlanta assigned him to serve at St. Christopher at the Crossroads in Perry and at St. Mary's in Montezuma. For 21 years, his Sundays began with a 7:30 a.m. service at St. Christopher's, followed by a 9:00 a.m. service at St. Mary's, then back to Perry for the 11:00 a.m. service. After retiring from St. Christopher's and St. Mary's, he served congregations at St. Stephen's in Griffin, St. Luke's in Hawkinsville, St. Luke's in Fort Valley, and Christ Church Cordele. Tom served as a volunteer chaplain with the Georgia Department of Corrections. Lovingly referred to as Father Tom, he was a strong man of faith, full of grace and love for all mankind. An avid sports fan, he loved watching the Tennessee Vols and the Cincinnati Reds.
Left to cherish the memories they made with Tom are his loving and devoted wife of 62 years, Lora Pearson Arledge; his sister, Eloise Carpenter of Chattanooga; his daughter, Ashley Hamlett (Phil), his son, Daniel LaFayette Arledge (Debora), and his daughter, Anne Marie Iverson (Mark); his grandchildren, Blair Wade (Drew), Emory Arledge-Cook(Alexis). Sean Thomas Arledge-Cook, Cooper Hamlett, Olivia Hamlett, Amy Iverson, Patric Iverson, Erica Bradshaw, and Kristen Bradshaw; and several great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
A Service for the Burial of the Dead will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Church in Cordele. The Rt. Reverend Frank Logue, Bishop of Georgia, will be the celebrant. Inurnment will be in the Sabra Coleman Memorial Garden at Christ Church immediately following the service.
In Lieu of flowers, the family respectfully memorial contributions to one of your favorite charities or to one of Tom's: Doctors Without Borders, Smile Train, Mercy Ships, Middle Georgia Food Bank, Macon Rescue Mission, or Meals on Wheels.
Condolences for the family may be left in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com. Watson-Hunt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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