Thomas Cheatham

Life Reflections
Thomas Lee Cheatham, Jr. was born in Philadelphia, PA on October 3, 1943.  He was the first of nine children born to the late Thomas Lee Cheatham, Sr. and Dorothy Emma (Thomas) Cheatham. On February 15, 2023, God dispatched a heavenly angel to escort Tom from this world into the realm of eternal peace and rest.

Tom was educated in the Philadelphia School System, graduating from Murrell Dobbins Vocational High School in 1961. In 1962, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was deployed to the Pacific Ocean on the USS THOR. After completing his active duty obligation, he was transferred to the Naval Reserve before being honorably discharged in 1966.

Following his tour of military duty, while working as a draftsman, Tom met his wife and the mother of his children, Tina Caldwell Cheatham. From this union, two girls were born, Lisa Michele and Audrey Renee. Although the marriage ultimately dissolved, together they created a legacy, raising their girls to value the pursuit of knowledge and education. As the girls were growing up, an afternoon trip to the public library was not uncommon. Tom’s love for books was eventually passed on to his grandchildren, as he was known for gifting books to them on almost every occasion.
In November 1969, Tom began his career in law enforcement when he joined the Fairmount Park Police 90th District. In 1975, he joined the City of Philadelphia Police department and was assigned to the 3rd District (11th & Wharton). In 1979, he was transferred to the 12th District (65th & Woodland) and in 1980, he transferred to the Transit Division where he worked until retiring in 1994, after 25 years of honorable service.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force Reserve in 1988. From 1990 to 1991, Tom took a leave of absence from the police department to serve in Gulf War in the United States Air Force Reserve. As a reservist, Staff Sergeant Cheatham earned the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal. For his service, he has the distinguished designation as a Veteran of Foreign War. He completed his reservist obligation in 1993.

Although Tom was raised as a Catholic, in 2001 he gave his life to Jesus Christ and was baptized into the Christian faith at Sharon Baptist Church. He was on a perpetual quest for knowledge and understanding. He was a welcoming and kind soul, who knew no strangers. He was loved and respected by those whose lives he touched. Tom was a true Philadelphian, through and through, demonstrated by his service to the city and his passionate dedication to “his” Philadelphia sports teams. Anyone who knew him, knew that he was a “Foodie” at heart. His quest was always to find the next great recipe or restaurant. He could never pass up a Maryland crabcake, Georgia pecans or a pack of Lorna Doone cookies.

In his retirement, Tom loved to stay busy. Over the years, he worked several jobs including a bus driver for Coach USA and personal caregiver for Home Instead. Most recently, he worked as a security guard with Arrow Security. He loved to travel and would often get on the road for a quick trip to visit his daughters and spend time with his only great-grandson, King.
Tom leaves to cherish his memory: his devoted and loving daughters, Lisa (Michael) Johnson of Albany, GA and Audrey (Michael) Ransom of Middle River, MD; four grandchildren: Robert Aaron Cheatham, Michael Dwayne Cheatham, Briana Joy Williams, and Brandon Ty Ransom; one great-grandson, Kingdom Aaron Cheatham; two sisters, Donna (Robert) Colbert and Barbara Cheatham; three brothers: Larry Cheatham, John Cheatham and Paul Cheatham; a cherished God-daughter, Dawn A. Lott; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

 

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