Thomas Rubert DeByl

Thomas Rubert DeByl, Captain, USNR, Retired, age 83, of Moyers, WV, joined our Heavenly Father on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at Sentara RMH Medical Center surrounded by his wife, Frances, and family members.

Born October 14, 1941, Tom was the oldest child of the late Bertram F. and Irene M. (Sandholm) DeByl. He grew up in Minocqua, Wisconsin where he attended elementary and high school. Along with various school activities such as sports, music and drama, he was an Eagle Scout and also earned the Ad Altare Dei medal for service in the Catholic Church.

After high school graduation, he attended Lawrence College in Appleton, WI for two years where he was on the swimming team, and also worked as a lifeguard and swimming instructor during the summer months. For his final two years, he transferred to the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh and graduated with a B.S. in Economics in June 1965.

In August of 1965 Tom entered Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island and was commissioned an Ensign, U.S. Naval Reserve in December 1965. He served in the Navy for 26 years and was a Vietnam Veteran. During his naval career he had assignments aboard the USS Ranger (CVA-61) aircraft carrier, USS Somers (DDG-34) guided missile destroyer, and USS Vesole (DD-878) Destroyer. He also had shore assignments as a Naval ROTC instructor at the University of Missouri, Commanding Officer of a nuclear weapons training detachment, Program Officer for Naval Readiness Command Region Six and various Navy schools. He retired from the Navy as a Captain in 1992.

He was employed by BAE Systems in Washington, DC as a Project Manager for installation and testing of sonar systems on U.S. submarines and destroyers. He retired from BAE Systems in 2006. Following retirement, Tom and wife, Frances moved to Sugar Grove, WV in 2009.

In his younger years he enjoyed swimming, canoeing, sailing (he built his own sailboat), water skiing, fishing, hunting, riding his motorcycle, DIY projects, woodworking, and gardening. Growing older, he spent time cooking old family recipes and baking various breads, reading, target shooting, traveling with Frances to various places—including stateside, Mexico, and several countries in Europe—driving with Frances in their BMW Z3 roadster on sunny days, and chasing rainbows.

He always loved spending time with his children and grandchildren for holidays, birthdays, family vacations, and their various school and sports events. He enjoyed taking them to museums and places of historical interest as well as amusement parks. When they visited him and Fran in Sugar Grove, he taught them how to fish with a cane pole and bobber, and how to shoot targets with a bow and arrow and .22 rifle.

Tom held membership with St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 13290, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9666, American Legion Post 30, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Fleet Reserve Association (FRA), USS Vesole DD-878 Association, USS Somers DDG-34 Association, Potomac Highlands Wounded Warrior Outreach Volunteer, Christian Assistance Network (C.A.N.) Volunteer, as well as the National Rifle Association (NRA). Additionally, he was a fan of the Green Bay Packers, the Wisconsin Badgers, and the West Virginia Mountaineers.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Frances Joan (Flanagan) DeByl, whom he married on August 14, 1971; his four children, Emilie E. DeByl of Maplewood, NJ, Robert P. DeByl (Patricia Gerardi) of St. Augustine, FL, Erin K. DeByl (Richard Thuemmler) of Arlington, VA, and Anne DeByl Inge (Alex Inge) of Sterling, VA; six grandchildren, Christian Miller, Nicholas Miller, Zachary Miller, Olivia Inge, Willem Inge and Airon DeByl; brothers, David DeByl (Dianne) of Waukesha, WI, Mark DeByl (Lori) of Winneconne, WI, and James DeByl (Maureen) of Neenah, WI; sisters, Mary DeByl of Mill Valley, CA, and Lynn Lingnofsky (Gary) of Appleton, WI; several nieces, nephews and cousins; longtime friends Wayne and Linda Spates of Charleston, SC, and Michael Miller of Forked River, NJ; and his “Mexican Son”, Andres Montoya (Tania Rodea) of Mexico City, Mexico.

A Celebration of Life and Funeral Mass will be held 11:30 a.m., Saturday, May 3, 2025 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Franklin, WV with Father Joseph Daniel Pisano officiating. A committal service in Arlington National Cemetery will be held and announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation in his name to the Gary Sinise Foundation, PO Box 40726, Nashville, TN 37204, VFW Post 9666 of Sugar Grove, WV, or a charity of your choice.