Thomas Armata
Thomas Anthony Armata crossed into the unknown on October 15, 2022 at the age of 76. He was born in Adams, Massachusetts and graduated from Syracuse University and received his MBA from the University of Massachusetts. Tom was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. He was a licensed CPA in Fla. and Pa. In the early years, he and Mary lived in a variety of states: Mass., R.I., Conn., Fla., and Pa. The family moved to Richmond, Va. in 1987 and relocated to Chattanooga, Tenn. in 2013 to be closer to their grandchildren.
The majority of Tom’s career was on the peripherals of health care having worked 15 years in the Medicare program where he was instrumental in formulating the policies and reimbursement forms for Organ Procurement Organizations and Histocompatibility Labs. He then moved to Richmond and spent 18 years as the Executive Director of the Southeastern Organ Procurement Foundation where he left his mark by creating the Living Organ Donor Network.
In his 40’s Tom took up white water rafting and it was a mild obsession for many years. He participated in 46 rafting trips on 18 different rivers in the northeast and southeast U.S. Tom loved the excitement at the Gauley River, the fall drawdown was his favorite. He was always an avid bowler having started as a teenager and although he gave it up for many years in midlife; he came back to the game in his fifties and participated in leagues in Richmond and Chattanooga. Tom accomplished his first and only 300 game in 2014 at the age of 68. His retirement time was consumed with house and yard maintenance, car maintenance, grandkids, reading, bowling, and way too many British mystery series. Tom also enjoyed ‘solving the world’s problems’ with a beer by the fire pit or on the deck on a sunny day.
Tom liked to talk to people and would start a conversation with anyone he met. He had a particular view of how the world should work and disliked anyone (people and organizations) that found ways around the rules to their own advantage. Many a company has found themselves receiving a strongly worded email, if they did something that Tom disliked. He had a propensity to tell things as they are without the sugar coating that at times is expected in today’s society. Many friends, neighbors, and family went to Tom for advice as he had a kind and helpful soul backed by knowledge and experience. Tom will be deeply missed and we are forever grateful for the time that we shared with him.
Tom had a wonderful life, and as he always said in his annual Christmas letter, “We’re so proud.”
Tom was preceded in death by his father, Casimir, mother Gladys (Ramocki), and his brother Robert.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary, his son Daniel (Anne) Armata and daughter Pamela (Nate) Schweighart and two grandchildren: Ethan and Alice.
A Celebration of Life visitation will be held at Hamilton Funeral Home Thursday, October 27, 2022 from 12 - 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hamilton Funeral Home and Cremation Service 4506 Hixson Pike Hixson, TN 37343.