Obituary of Thomas M. Waddell

WADDELL, Thomas M, 71 of Stones Throw, St. Pete, FL. passed away October 19, 2012. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa Ann Waddell; close friend Jacob Leroy Jones; a host of nieces, nephews, family members, and very close friends that became "family." Tom was a retired Security Officer from All Children's Hospital (1998-2006) and former Security Manager of Tyrone Square Mall (1977-1998). He was born in New York, New York in 1941 and moved to Florida in 1975. A US Marine Corps Sergeant E5 for 8 years as a MP and Guard he worked with Top Secret Clearance and served as a non-commission officer, watch supervisor; general prison security and warden of the day base brig at Camp Lejeune, NC. He had his Associate of Arts Degree in Police Administration. He wrote manuals and prepared Emergency Disaster Plans; reduced auto theft and other crime - lowering the incidents at both the Mall and Hospital. Tom rescued a child from a kidnapper at the Mall Bus Stop in 1996 and until he passed, he was proud of his security background, continuing after he retired to volunteer with the Stones Throw Security Group and the St. Petersburg Police Department. He was a Notary as well as a member of the National Association, Chief of Police; American Federation of Police; Marine Corps League; Marine Corps Association; American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans. Tom touched the lives of everyone he came to know as a true "Marine" - once his friend- always his friend! If you knew Tom you knew how proud he was of Semper-Fi! Once a Marine - Always a Marine. Memorial Service will be held at Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10,000 Bay Pines Blvd, Bay Pines, Florida on November 9, 2012 @ 12:30 pm. Please omit flowers - in lieu, contributions may be made in Tom's memory to the Marine Corps League or Marine Corps Association.