Thomas David Rapp, 84, of Newport News, Virginia,passed away on Friday, April 15, 2022. He was a native of Rocheport, MO. and was the son of the late Earl and Mary Smith Rapp. He served in the U.S. Marine Corp for seventeen years and retried from the U.S. Army as a SSG after 3 tours in Viet Nam.
He grew up in a small town called Rocheport, MO on the Missouri River. He grew up with loving parents and his dad taught him to fish, hunt and trap and he had 2 favorite "coon dogs" Stinky and Nuisance. According to Dad his Mom was the best baker in town. He joined the Marine Corps when he was 17 because the sign said "Join the Marine Corps and see the world", and see the world he did. Tom finished his military career at Ft. Bragg, NC in the U.S. Army. While there he attended Campbell College because he wanted to be minister, instead he taught Sunday School and nursing homes for the remainder of his life.
He was a wizard at mechanics, and was a mentor to Steve and Patti and a mentor to his grandsons and granddaughter.
What has been said the most about him was that he was the best story teller and was ready to "go home". His faith was unfaltering and he viewed death as a Christian unafraid.
He was also preceded in death by his first wife Elsie and his second wife Sharon Hinkle. He was also preceded in death by his brother Daniel Earl Rapp, and grandson Stephen Gowens,II. he is survived by his daughters, Patsy Thorpe-Gowens and her husband Stephen Gowens of Newport News, Va.; and Ann Marie Baker of Newport News, Va.; grandson David Breeding, Jr. of Newport News and Leslie Wayne Baker, Jr. of Newport News, eight great grandchildren, eight great great grandchildren, nephew James Earl Rapp and his wife Cindy, and niece Cindi Rapp of Kansas City.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with military honors. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Retired Veterans Assoc. or Survivors of Viet Nam War(Wounded Warriors). Andrews Funeral Home,& Crematory, Gloucester, Va. is in charge of arrangements.