Thomas “Tom” E. Plott

Tom grew up in Bryson City and graduated from Swain County HS and Western Carolina University. He married his sweetheart, Judith, in 1963 and continued a military career in the US Army. He served for 23 years, including two tours in Vietnam flying forward air control and reconnaissance missions in the O-1 Bird Dog and OV-1 Mohawk. He was proud of his service and made many friends during those years. He and his family moved to many different locations over the years, and his final assignment was with the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon. When he retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (LTC), the family moved to Hendersonville, NC. Tom additionally drove tractor trailers, taught JROTC at Owen and Cherokee High Schools, and owned a tractor business. Also, he thoroughly enjoyed driving a school bus for Henderson County schools for many years, where he felt he could positively impact youth. Tom served in 4 different churches over the 40 years they lived in Hendersonville and believed strongly in caring for people and showing the love of Christ wherever and however he could. He held the role of elder in multiple churches and was a key member in planting Grace Mills River Church. Finally, Tom and Judith became vibrant members of Calvary Fellowship in Mills River where they loved and cared for their fellow congregants and pastor.