Thomas Edward Wooden, Jr., LTC, U.S. Army (Ret.) 63 of Temple Hills, Maryland.

Obituary

On Friday, August 5, 2022, Thomas Edward Wooden, Jr.  journeyed home to be with the Lord.  Thomas was born in Northwest Washington, DC on February 27, 1959 to his Mother, Coby Evangeline (Lacey) Sneed and Father, Thomas Edward Wooden Sr.  He was raised and educated in Washington DC until moving to Pennsylvania as a teenager. He graduated from Elk Lake High School as a decorated All American basketball player and 1977 Pennsylvania State Title winner (36-0 record). Thomas continued his education and athleticism at Penn State University and the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), where he graduated. Thomas Wooden Jr. was a Mason in the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge #14.

Thomas was known for being a disciplined and honorable man. He worked in the banking industry as a bank manager and was a Correctional Officer before taking oath and enlisting in the United States Army Reserves in 1989. With high honor, Thomas dedicated his life to serving his country and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the Army National Guard in 2019.

He was also known for being an avid tennis player and fan as well as riding his Can-Am motorcycle through the city and across the country. Thomas carried a passion to live his life to the fullest, even more so in retirement, as he excitedly embraced a new season of life, happiness, adventure, and possibilities. Thomas would often say, "Life is too short not to live it. We only have one life and wasting it isn't something I intend to do".

Thomas lived with much to be proud of but he regarded his greatest accomplishment and source of joy as being a family man. He made being present and supportive of his family his top priority. Thomas cherished being a Father to his son, Kyle Wooden and daughter, Gabriella Harvey.  He also prided himself on being a good son, loving his Mother dearly into her passing and carrying the light of her love thereafter, and loving his Father as they worked together to uphold and advance the Wooden family legacy. To and for all of his family, if he could- he would- and he did. Thomas loved his family and was blessed to have a family that loved him back. He will be missed for "telling like it is", his infectious laughter, and his zealous story-telling.

Above all else, Thomas was a man of God. A believer of Jesus Christ. A praying man, continuously striving to live a life in which his Lord could one day declare onto him, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant".

Thomas leaves to cherish his memory and carry the light of his love, Father-Thomas Wooden Sr.; two Children- Kyle A. Wooden (first marriage to Lynne Wooden) and Gabriella Harvey (second marriage to Vivian Wooden); Grandson- Ky'Mari Gabriel Oden; Siblings- Nicole C. Sneed, Monique Adams (Mark Adams), Lisa Wooden, Terri Wooden, and Christopher Wooden; Uncles Delbert Wooden Jr. Sherman F. Wooden; Nephews- Nathan Adams, Seth Adams, Bryce Wooden, Gram Wooden, Isaac Wooden, Severin Wooden; Niece- Christina Adams, and a host of cousins, family, and friends. May his memory forever live fondly in our hearts.

Viewing, 10:00 a.m. until time of Service, 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at St. Paul at Oxon Hill United Methodist Church, 6634 St. Barnabas Road, Oxon Hill, Maryland 20745.

Pennsylvania Services: Saturday, August 27, 2022 in the Chapel of Daniel K. Regan Funeral Home, 232 South Main Street, Montrose, Pennsylvania.  Interment, Dimock Cemetery, Dimock, Pennsylvania.