Tommy Jack Massey's Obituary
Tommy Jack Massey was born on May 18, 1935, in Carrabelle, Florida to parents Jack and Gladys Massey. Childhood wasn’t always easy for Tommy and his sisters Anna and Pansy. His father worked as a fisherman and his mother as a waitress to provide for them. Many days all they had to eat was salt mullet and biscuits. As a boy, Tommy had to row a boat across the Carrabelle River and then walk 13 blocks on the hot sand barefoot just to get to school. Often on the way home from school he would stop on Davis Island (under the now Tillie Miller bridge) and hunt for marsh rabbits to help feed his family. This ultimately made him the hardworking man he grew up to be. During his high school days, Tommy was active in the theatre at Carrabelle High School and participated in many plays including Beauty and The Beast, Hamlet, and even Moulin Rouge.
After graduating high school in 1953, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served four years during the Korean War. His last 30 days in the military were spent touring the world. Although he saw many places, Tommy was always eager to get back home to Carrabelle. After arriving home from the service, Tommy said he saw the prettiest girl in Carrabelle and just knew he had to marry her. On April 5, 1958, he married Barbara Ann Millender. They remained in Carrabelle and raised three children; Jack, Rod, and Connie.
Throughout his life, Tommy wore many hats. He was proficient in all things maritime and spent many years as a fisherman, shrimper, dredge boat operator, and even a Marine Patrol Officer. He loved serving the community and held office as Carrabelle City Commissioner as well as Franklin County Commissioner. His last job was as postmaster where he enjoyed almost 20 years of serving the residents of Lanark Village. Tommy was very proud to be a member of the First Baptist Church of Carrabelle, were he attended from childhood. His faith in Jesus Christ was the most important thing in his life. He greatly enjoyed his fellowship with the men of the church and faithfully attended service. Tommy was also a member of the American Legion as well as the Shriners. He was recently honored as the oldest living member of the local Masonic Lodge while celebrating 60 years of being a Mason.
Tommy was most proud of his family, especially his great grandchildren. They were the apple of his eye. In 2012, he found love again with Mrs. Velma O’Neal. Together they spent almost 13 years holding hands, caring for one another, and proving that you’re never too old to find love.
Tommy passed at home at the age of 89 on January 2, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones and knowing that his steadfast faith in Jesus would see him home to Glory. Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Gladys Massey; his sister, Pansy Braswell; his wife Barbara Ann Massey and his son Jack Massey II. He is survived by his wife Velma O’Neal of Carrabelle, FL; sister Anna Massey Keith Sanborn of Carrabelle, FL; son Rodney Massey Sr. and wife Nita of Carrabelle, FL; daughter Connie Massey of Carrabelle; grandchildren Tasha Poteet and husband Lee of Carrabelle, FL ,Christopher Rose II of Lanark Village, FL, Rodney Preston Massey of Tallahassee, FL, Tomilee Davis and husband Andrew of Tallahassee, FL, Dakota Massey of Carrabelle, FL, Cathrine Bradshaw and husband Joseph of Perry, FL; great grandchildren Lily Massey, Colt Poteet, Maisie Poteet, Avery Davis; honorary great grandchildren Madison Varnes, Blaine Beecham; stepchildren Carol Morris and husband Ronnie of Perry, FL, Janice Jackson and her late husband David of Carrabelle, FL ,Sandra O’Neal and Tim Murray of Carrabelle, FL ,Belinda Herndon and husband James of Greenville, FL, Ronald O’Neal of Yellville, Arkansas as well as a host of step grandchildren and step great grandchildren.
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