Mr. Larry Thomas “Tommy” Freeze, age 79 of Wilkesboro passed away January 24, 2023, at SECU Hospice Home in Yadkinville.

Tommy was born February 23, 1943, in Massillon, OH to Kent Thomas and Addie Ima Talbert Freeze. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Dwight Isenhour of Gastonia, NC.

Tommy grew up in Mooresville, NC, and was a graduate of Mooresville High School. Tommy joined the Army National Guard Reserves during his senior year of high school and was promoted to second lieutenant. He worked for his father‘s sheet metal business during his youth, later opening his own sheet metal business, he was a draftsman for Duke Power, then joined the Mooresville Police Department before deciding that he wanted to learn to fly. Tommy earned his pilot‘s license in September 1965 and had a stellar career. He began his profession as an air taxi pilot for Miller Aviation in Statesville, NC, flew for Kincaid Engineering in Gastonia, Fiveco Inc. in Cheraw, SC, then in 1970, moved to Wilkesboro to become a corporate pilot for Lowe‘s Companies. Afterwards, he flew briefly for Comm/Scope in Catawba, NC, before transitioning to Gardner Mirror Corporation in North Wilkesboro where he served not only as their corporate pilot, but was also their Credit Manager and oversaw various aspects of the manufacturing plants. Tommy became pilot for Bill Davis Racing in High Point, NC, followed by Ward Burton Aviation in South Boston, VA. Tommy later piloted for Josh Comstock (JRC Investments) in Corpus Christie, TX, and managed the company‘s Embraer Legacy 145 jet before transitioning to C&J Energy, Houston, TX. Tommy retired from flying in August 2017.

Online condolences may be made to www.reinssturdivant.com.

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