Thomas G. Ledford

Thomas G. Ledford, 74, of Lynchburg, VA died on May 12, 2022. He was an incredible man, a dear friend, a valued colleague, and is beloved by his family. He is survived by his wife Mollie Gardner Ledford, of Lynchburg, VA, his daughters Veronica Ledford and Leigh Ledford, and her husband Scott Hawkins of Richmond, VA, sister Susan L. Galati of Wilmington, NC, brother Paul Ledford and wife Lindsay of Baton Rouge, LA, nieces Alanna Galati and Diana Galati of Washington, DC, Logan Ledford and her husband Zack Widdoss of New Orleans, LA, Jane Ledford of Denver, CO, nephew Stephen Ledford of Fort Collins, CO, stepchildren Brice Mayhew, Alison and husband Daniel Tuck of Lynchburg, VA, and granddaughter Violet Tuck.  Jana Trench Howard, of Tucson, AZ, his first wife and mother of his children, also mourns his passing. Tom’s family was his first priority. Tom loved history because of its ability to tell a story and inform the future. He spent his youth in New Orleans, LA absorbing the importance of cultures, relationships, and the human connection. After receiving his Masters Degree from the University of Arizona in 1973, Tom worked as the Associate Curator of Exhibits at the Arizona State Museum in Tucson. The following year he moved to Florida to serve as the Restoration Curator for the Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board. From 1976 -2004, Tom was the Founding Director of the Lynchburg Museum System. During his tenure Tom supervised the original restoration of the Old Court House and Point of Honor, and opened them as public history museums. He was involved with the Lynchburg Tourism Board, Kemper Street Station Redevelopment, the Save Outdoor Sculpture program, the Legacy Museum, Amazement Square, Old City Cemetery, and the Anne Spencer Foundation. Tom also served on the council of the Virginia Association of Museums, and was President of VAM from 1986-1988. In 2012, he received the Southeastern Museum Conference James Short Award for distinguished service to others over his long professional career. Tom was a member of the Blue Ridge Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society, The Sphex Club, and Oakwood Country Club. Tom’s joys were visiting Maine with Mollie, reading, collecting and building model trains, and telling you about his latest and greatest meal. Tom had a brilliant mind, and could talk about almost anything. Hot topics included, but were not limited to, boats, trains, planes, baseball, and military history. Tom truly led a life of service, and as an organ donor his death has provided gifts to several other people. A celebration of life will be held on the lawn of Point of Honor on June 26, 2022 at 1:00 PM. A reception will follow at Oakwood Country Club. In lieu of flowers or food, donations in Tom’s memory can be made to the Point of Honor Capital Campaign (901 Court St. Lynchburg, VA 24504), The Lynchburg Humane Society (1211 Old Graves Mill Rd. Lynchburg VA 24502) or The Gift of Life Family House (401 Callowhill St. Philadelphia, PA 19123).