General Bartlett Obituary

General Thomas Bartlett III (Tom), passed away peacefully in Fredericksburg, Va. , on September 9, 2023, surrounded by family members. Tom was born on March 23, 1936, in Philadelphia, Pa. , to General Thomas Bartlett Jr. and Elizabeth Miller Bartlett Kyle (Betty). General Bartlett Jr. was studying the embalming process at the time and would later take over ownership of the Bartlett Funeral Home in Grafton, W. Va. , from his father, General Thomas Bartlett. Tom grew up in Grafton, where he earned his Eagle Scout rank by constructing an antenna array that provided television reception to a portion of Grafton for the very first time. While attending Grafton High School, he met Barbara Louise Wagoner in the Band Class clarinet section. Their competition for first chair turned into a young romance, and Barbara would become the love of his life. They married on August 3, 1958, while both were attending West Virginia University. With a Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship, Tom studied chemical engineering and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant upon graduating in 1960. After completion of active service, Tom worked for the U. S. Army Material Command at the Edgewood Arsenal in Maryland, while also serving in the Army Reserves. Tom retired from government service after 25 years and from the Army Reserves as a Colonel. He and Barbara then moved back to Grafton, W. Va. , which they always considered home. Tom served with the Lions Club, Gideons International, Rotary International, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Volunteers in Policing, the Grafton City Hospital Board, and many other community service and charitable organizations. He was elected to the City Council, and subsequently served for 14 years as Mayor of Grafton (2002-2016). Tom's heart for service reflected his deep love for his Lord, Jesus Christ. Tom is survived by his wife, Barbara Louise Wagoner Bartlett; his brother, John Bartlett, of Hawaii Kai, Hawaii; his sister, Sally Jo Bartlett, of Jalisco, Mexico; his half-sister, Mollie Kyle Daugherty, of Clarksburg, W. Va. ; his half-brother, Robert Kyle, of Prescott Valley, Arizona; and his daughters, Beth Allison Liu, of Kapolei, Hawaii, and Jill Bartlett Shigley, of Fredericksburg, Va. He also leaves four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his sister, Susan Bartlett Burrows, of Bridgeport, W. Va. Family and friends will be received at Bartlett Funeral Home, 202 McGraw Ave. , Grafton, on Friday, September 15, 2023 from 3:00PM to 7:00PM, and on Saturday, September 16, 2023 from 9:00AM until the time of the funeral at 11:00AM with Pastor Jeff Hanlin officiating. Interment will follow at Woodsdale Memorial Park. Online condolences can be sent to the Bartlett Family at www. bartlettfuneralhomewv. com Bartlett Funeral Home is honored to serve the Bartlett Family