Thomas Wingate

Thomas Alonzo Wingate departed this life on November 30, 2020, after a battle with a pulmonary disease following a 5-month recovery from COVID-19. Although not infected with coronavirus, the permanent effects of the virus caused irreversible damage to his lungs. At the time of his death, Thomas was being treated at the University of Maryland Medical Center hospital by a team of excellent doctors and nurses. The family is very grateful for their advanced medical expertise, and their tireless efforts to treat this disease.

Thomas was born on January 14, 1960 to parents Annette Wingate and the late Bobby Jackson. Tom grew up in Hartsville, SC, raised by his grandparents, the late Lillie Mae and Bosie Wingate, Sr. Tom graduated from Butler High School, Class of ’78 where he played on the marching band, and fondly earned the nickname, “Chicken wing”. Over the decades, Tom continued to keep in close contact with his classmates, and often returned home to attend the annual Butler Heritage weekend of events. It is in Hartsville where Tom met Terry Martin and Chris Jacobs who remained his closest friends throughout adulthood.

Tom would later attend Florence Darlington Technical college with a concentration in electronics. He continued the path of advancing his knowledge of electronics and aviation while serving our country in the United States Air Force with an Honorable Discharge in August 1988 at the rank of E-4, Senior Airman.

Tom would continue his public service as a civilian Electronic Technician with the Navy’s Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) in San Diego, CA. This is where Tom met his best friend, Orlander “Tony” Moore, and continued this close friendship until his passing.

San Diego, CA is where Tom spent many years raising a family consisting of two sons, Thomas Wingate II, and Blake Wingate, while also serving as a foster parent to many other children throughout the years.

Tom would later move to Maryland, where he married his devoted wife, Cynthia, in 2009. Tom and Cynthia enjoyed over 11 years of marriage where she stood by his side through life’s challenges, and medical hardships. They were truly a bonded pair.

Tom leaves to mourn, his loving wife, Cynthia Wingate; sons: Thomas Wingate II, and Blake Wingate; 2 grandchildren: Madison and K’annan; his mother, Annette Wingate-Quinney; sisters: Theresa Kline, Tammy Frierson, and Yvette “Cookie” Cruz; aunts, uncles, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Thank you, Thomas Wingate, for your years of service in the United States Air Force. We will salute this veteran’s farewell, at a later date, in Tom’s hometown of Hartsville, SC.