Thomas A. Counts

Thomas "Tom" A. Counts, Sr. passed away unexpectedly at his home in Abingdon, Virginia on September 11, 2012. He was born May 23, 1931 and was 81 years old at the time of his death. Tom was preceded in death by his father Earl C. Counts, Sr., mother Trula Fleenor Counts, brother Earl C. Counts, Jr., sisters Evelyn Counts Jessee and Nell Counts Herndon, and infant brother Jimmy Counts.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Connie Hagy Counts; four children: Thomas A. Counts, II of Roanoke, VA, Teresa Halsey and husband Chris of Abingdon, Daphne Marcinek and husband Michael of Monroe, CT, and Tina Parish and husband Steve of Richmond, VA; six grandchildren: Ryan Halsey, Reid Halsey, Justin Marcinek, Ashley Marcinek, Cameron Parish and Connor Parish; brothers: Ted Counts and wife Pat of Forest, VA, Danny Counts and wife Betty Ann of Marion, VA, and David Counts and wife Becky of Abingdon; sister Bonnie Scyphers and husband Evans of Marion, VA; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Tom was born in the Moccasin Creek community of Russell County, Virginia and moved with his family to Greendale, Virginia. He graduated from Greendale High School in 1948. He was a talented and successful businessman and a widely respected insurance agent. Tom opened his agency with State Farm Insurance Company in Abingdon in 1966 and retired in 2005 after 39 years of service. A devoted family man and Christian, Tom was a member of Green Spring Presbyterian Church where he had served as an elder for over 20 years and held the office of clerk to the Board of Elders. He also served on the Mount Rogers Planning District Commission for the Virginia Department of Transportation and was appointed by Washington County, VA to serve as a member of the Board of Directors for the Virginia Highlands Community College where his input and wisdom were greatly appreciated. In addition, Tom was a past president of the Abingdon Jaycees and a former Virginia State Director of the Jaycees.

Tom was a civic minded man who loved farming and spending time with his family. He was very proud of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.

The funeral service for Tom Counts will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 15, 2012, at Green Spring Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Jon Martin officiating. Entombment will follow in the Chapel of Memories Mausoleum at Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be Michael Marcinek, Ryan Halsey, Dakota White, Reid Halsey, Dan Collins, Clint Herndon, Chris Halsey and Steve Parish. Honorary pallbearers will be the elders of Green Spring Presbyterian Church, State Farm Insurance Company Associates, and members of the VHCC Board of Directors.

The family will receive friends on Friday, September 14, 2012 from 5:30 p.m. 9:00 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Green Spring Presbyterian Church, 22007 Green Spring Church Road, Abingdon, VA 24211.

Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com.
The family of Tom Counts, Sr. is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).