John Thomas (Tom) Gogoll

John Thomas (Tom) Gogoll, 70, of Dale City, Virginia, beloved father, brother, “Poppa”, uncle, cousin, and friend, passed away suddenly on August 19, 2024. John was born in Baltimore, Maryland in October of 1953. He graduated from Dulaney High School, class of 1971, and remained close with many of his former classmates to this day. He was a proud and active Boy Scout throughout grade school, before choosing to enlist in the U.S. Army to protect our country as we were embroiled in the Vietnam War. He served for ten years, stationed in places such as Camp Samae San (Sattahip), Thailand, with the United States Army Support, Thailand (USARSUPTHAI), and later as an Air Traffic Controller at Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, before receiving an honorable discharge to raise a family in 1981. His long and storied career included stints at the Defense Mapping Agency, Naval Reactors, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), and Northern Virginia Gun Works, before retiring to fully enjoy life in 2017. John was a proud Army Veteran who loved his country and loved his family with equal dedication. There was no aspect of history (American, military or guns and gunsmithing) that he did not know, and he loved to educate and entertain with detailed stories. His face would simply light up when he talked about his craft and was a wise and patient instructor to all ages. He was proud to coach the younger generation in proper safety and respect for firearms. He was an avid Civil War historian and loved going to the annual reunion of the Archer’s Brigade reenactors in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. A meticulous and technically gifted man, he fixed and built things - large and small - with his own two hands, including the various building repairs as the Facilities Manager at Naval Reactors to the multiple sheds built by hand at his home. One of his favorite phrases that carried him through life was “a place for everything, and everything in its place.” John was preceded in death by parents Elizabeth “Libby” Gogoll Garland and Thornton H. Gogoll Jr., as well as daughters Patricia Gogoll and Teresa McArdle. John leaves behind his daughter, D’Arcey (Justin) Johnson, grandson Matthew Johnson, longtime life partner Janet Peterson, brother Ted (Donna) Gogoll, nephews Trevor (Jackie) Gogoll, Tyler (Erica) Gogoll, Troy (Caitlin) Gogoll, niece Elyse (Dennis) Gogoll and their families, plus many beloved cousins and extended family. A celebration of life will be held on Monday, November 11 from 11am-1pm at Miller Funeral Home in Woodbridge, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to the National Museum of the United States Army, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, or the American Battlefield Trust (Gettysburg Battlefields).

Tributes

John Thomas (Tom) Gogoll

August 19, 2024