Thomas L. Atchison

Commander Thomas L. Atchison, US Navy retired, 83, born in Shreveport, LA on April 1, 1937 passed away peacefully November 22, 2020 at Carlisle Hospital.

Tom was the son of Floyd Atchison from Capulin, NM and Marjorie (Bough) Atchison from Cimarron, NM. He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother Jane (White) Atchison, and brothers, Leslie and Warren Atchison.

He attended Chapman College, various Navy schools and HACC, where he completed a Basic Truck Driving Program.

He grew up in Raton, NM and, upon graduation from high school, joined the Navy. He was enlisted for ten years, then earned his commission. He rose to the rank of Commander, completing 30 years of service. He was a submariner and Nuclear Weapons officer, finishing his service as a Nuclear Safety Officer. He retired from the Navy at Ships Parts Control Center, Mechanicsburg.

He is survived by his wife Faye Annette (Wilson) Atchison, daughters Patty (Atchison) Montoya, Roberta (Atchison) Ervin, and Daphne (Kell) Dorsey and sons David Atchison and wife Angela, William Atchison and wife Sheryl, and Darwin (Sam) Dean Kell, Jr., step-siters DeLeah Henry and Karen Holly, nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

He enjoyed traveling the US and Canada in a motorhome, woodworking, Senators baseball, and several mission trips to FL, WV, and MX with his church.

He was a member of Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church, a Life Member of The Retired Officers Assn. and a Charter Life Member of the Military Officers Assn. of America.

Memorial contributions in Tom’s honor may be made to Cal Farley’s Ranch, Gift Processing Center, 600 W. 11th, Amarillo, TX 79101-3228.

The family would like to thank Thornwald Home and Carlisle Hospital for their care and support.

Visitation will be from 11am until a Celebration of Tom’s life at noon on Wednesday, December 2 at Parthemore Funeral Home, New Cumberland. Interment services with military honors will be held afterward at 2pm at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Hanover Twp.