Thomas N. Allebaugh, Beloved Father and
Grandfather, Dedicated Teacher and Coach
Thomas Null Allebaugh, age 87, beloved father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loved ones, on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
Tom was born on January 17, 1937 in Staunton, Va., and was the son of Charles R. (Jim) Allebaugh and Madeline Null Allebaugh. He was born on a Sunday morning as the church bells rang, convincing his mother it was a sign he would grow up to be a preacher. His 87-year journey on this earth did not lead him to be a preaching man, but rather a teaching man. Life- long teacher, coach, horse-enthusiast, sports aficionado, proud University of Virginia alumnus, storytelling historian, Tom will be remembered always for all of these things and more.
Tom grew up on a small farm in Lacey Spring, Va. It was here that Tom’s love of all animals, particularly horses, took hold. He learned to ride at a very early age, and when gifted with a particularly special horse named Polly, a registered Saddlebred, his lifelong love of the equine world began. He spent his entire life showing and owning American Saddlebred horses, and through this love, Kentucky became a special place to Tom. Kentucky was his heaven on Earth.
Tom was a graduate of Broadway High School’s class of 1955. In high school, Tom excelled in sports, playing football, basketball and baseball and earning eleven varsity letters. The very first football game he ever saw, in a lifetime of football games, was when he himself played on the brand-new football team formed at BHS in his sophomore year. Tom threw the first touchdown in the history of BHS varsity football history, a fact of which was highlighted when he was inducted into Broadway High School’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016.
Tom expected to matriculate to the family farm following high school. However, in his senior year, a University of Virginia baseball scout had other plans for Tom. He went on to enroll at “THE University.” Tom played baseball for two seasons at UVA, and through hard work and perseverance, he earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Education in 1960. His lifelong dedication to the University of Virginia and his immense pride in being a UVA alumnus was forever engrained in all that he did.
Tom returned to Rockingham County in 1962, where he taught and coached for over 25 years at Broadway High School, Elkton High School and Spotswood High School. He coached various sports throughout his career, and while at Broadway High School, he coached the first undefeated football team in the school’s history, something of which he was extremely proud. He continued deep friendships with his multitude of players for decades after.
In 1986, Tom moved to New Jersey, where he started a second career as a sales trainer for Weichert Realtors, the largest independently owned real estate company in the United States. He developed sales training programs that earned him national recognition, and while always a “southern country guy” in the “Yankee big city,” Tom brought his friendly demeanor everywhere he went and was respected and adored by all those he crossed paths with. In his retirement, Tom enjoyed spending time with family. It was not unusual for Tom to spontaneously hop in the car to drive to Virginia to spend a few days with his grandchildren or drive to Kentucky to spend time with his horses. He continued coaching during this time as well, sharing his immense football knowledge with the youth and coaches of Westfield, N.J., where he lived.
Tom’s ability to tell a story enthralled countless people and was so prolific that hearing the same story many times over was not unusual, but appreciated so much because of Tom’s passion to entertain. His many stories relayed his experiences as a child, as an athlete, as a horseman, a multi-sport coach, and most importantly, as a father and grandfather.
During challenging times in his life, Tom would reflect on the “dash” between one’s birth date and death date, the meaning and importance of that small dash, the legacy one leaves behind. Tom’s “dash” was full of laughter, friendship, resilience, teaching, generosity, cheerfulness, story-telling, support, and love. May his legacy inspire us all to do the best we can on our own journey.
In addition to his parents, Tom is preceded in death by his sons, Thomas Scott Allebaugh, Charles Patrick Allebaugh and Daniel Coleman Allebaugh, and his sister, Joanne Devier.
Tom is survived by his wife of 38 years, Carol Lee Allebaugh of Westfield, N.J.; his daughters, Anne Allebaugh Kanjian (Bob) and Erin Allebaugh Muller (Darrell); his grandchildren, Jack Kanjian (25), Hannah Kanjian (24), Max Muller (14) and Madeline Muller (11); nephew and nieces, Don Clark, Nancy Faulkner, Gail Johnson and Kay Hanley; niece Lori Swanson (KJ) and nephew Jeff McGill (Ann); and grandniece, Carlee Swanson, and grandnephew, Erik Swanson.
A graveside service at Lacey Spring Cemetery in Lacey Spring, Va., occurred on Saturday, December 14. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. A few of Tom’s favorites were the Humane Society of the United States, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the American Diabetes Association.
For more information or to sign the tribute wall, please visit www.dooleycolonialhome.com.
December 19, 2024
