Thomas Lee Trammel

Thomas Lee Trammel, affectionately known as Tommy, was born on November 12, 1937 in Bellefonte, PA. He grew up in Williamsport, PA and graduated from Williamsport High School. Shortly after graduation, Tommy settled in Rochester, NY where he was later baptized and held membership at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. Tommy lived joyfully in Rochester until moving to Atlanta, GA in November 2020.

Tommy met Joyce Slater at a youth dance in Syracuse, NY circa 1958. They fell in love and were married on March 21, 1959. Their union yielded four daughters and a home filled with love and laughter. In addition to raising their family, Tommy and Joyce embraced a rich social life. They enjoyed church functions, concerts and theatrical performances, entertaining, and especially travel. Tommy, Joyce, and the girls vacationed at many beach destinations both stateside and throughout the Caribbean.

Tommy was a loving and hands-on "Girl Dad", as well as a supportive husband, partner, and a hard worker. Prior to becoming Rochester's first Black Master Electrician in 1967, Tommy was employed at Gerber Baby Products and Ritter Pfaudler Corporation. The master electrician license led to him being hired as an electrician at Eastman Kodak Company where he worked from 1968 until his retirement in 1991. During his Kodak tenure, Tommy was one of two men selected to go on loan to the city school district's "World of Work" program. Tommy first attended classes at Rochester Institute of Technology and earned a teaching certificate. Then, for two years, he taught math and hands-on electrician skills to at-risk high school students. Tommy's performance review from that program stated, "His pride of workmanship and skill also serves as an example to emulate. It is hard to evaluate in numbers how many kids were influenced by these two men, but I am sure that their contributions were as positive as it is possible to be." When he retired, Tommy was in Kodak's Materials Management Division as a Project Materials Assistant. Though trained as an electrician, Tommy could fix anything. He often did household jobs for friends, family, and neighbors ranging from appliance installation and repair to home wiring. He also did commercial work for businesses, hotels, and Mt. Olivet Baptist Church.

Tommy had many hobbies. He loved playing cards with the guys and board games with his daughters. He was an avid sportsman who bowled, rode with a motorcycle club, fished, and even ice-fished and hunted in Canada. He loved being a part of the Old Timer's Club and enjoyed their social events. He especially loved cooking and was a "foodie." Tommy cooked for friends, church, and Boy Scout events. He was famous for hosting New Year's parties, cookouts, and pool parties. Tommy was outgoing and he never met a stranger. He loved his jokes and storytelling. Tommy also gave back to the community by serving as a ward captain, volunteering at and outside of church, and mentoring young people.

Tommy was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joyce Slater Trammel; his mother, Mollie Trammel Watson; his brother, Edward Watson, and his sister-in-law, Winifred Jackson. To celebrate and remember him with love, honor, and gratitude, Tommy leaves his daughters and sons-in-law, Natasha Trammel Smith (Ray), Rorie Trammel, Andrea Trammel (Kevin), and Demaree Trammel; his grandchildren, Thomany Ervin, Troy Ervin and Jordan Owens; and his great-grandchildren, Jordan Owens, Jr., and Kingston Owens. Tommy loved family and treasured his closeness with his surviving siblings-in-law, Cynthia Slater Freeman, Nadine Slater Harris, and Willie Harris. Tommy leaves a host of family and friends who cherish the time they had with him. He will be fondly remembered.

Tommy's legacy is one of love, fun, laughter, as well as honor, respect, and living for his family.