Thomas C. Threadgill, 90, of Old State Rd., Allegany passed away Tuesday (August 24, 2021) at the Olean General Hospital, after a long illness.
Born July 10, 1931 in Anson County, Burnsville Township in North Carolina, he was the son of the late Van and Clara Beachum Threadgill. On June 4, 1955 at St. Mary of the Angels Church in Olean he married Barbara Reddy of Olean with whom he was married for 64 years. She passed away October 22, 2018.
Mr. Threadgill was a graduate of Burnsville High School, class of 1950. Upon graduation in July 1950, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and remained in the service for twenty-three years, retiring in July 1973. He was awarded numerous service medals including the U.S. and Korean Presidential Unit citations, the Good Conduct Medal (on ten occasions), the Air Force Accommodation Medal, United States, Korean and Taiwan Defense Medals and the Elite Badge of Honor Organization Medal of Taiwan Veterans and the NYS Conspicuous Star Medal. He also received three Presidential Certificates of Appreciation from President Nixon, and from the President of Taiwan and Korea. Mr. Threadgill graduated from twenty-seven technical schools and was awarded the Master Instructors Badge.
His stateside assignments included Texas (three times), Alabama, South Carolina, New York, Colorado and Florida. His overseas assignments were Japan, Korea, Alaska (before statehood), Libya, Uruguay and Taiwan. Mr. Threadgill had many temporary duty assignments which gave him the opportunity to travel to numerous foreign countries and forty-nine states. During his last 6 years in the military, he was assigned to and performed duties as was required by the Central Intelligence Agency.
After retiring from the Air Force in 1973, he and his family moved to Allegany where he was employed as club manager of the Allegany American Legion as well as a part time school bus driver for the Allegany School District. In 1978 Mr. Threadgill became employed as a truck driver for Nabisco in Olean, retiring in June 1992.
He was a life member and past commander of the Allegany American Legion Post #892. He helped organize the Legion’s ritual team and he served several years with them. He was also the past County American Legion Commander. Mr. Threadgill had served on many local, county, district and state committees and was named the American Legion outstanding member in 1986. He was also a charter member of the Air Force Memorial and a member of the Korean War Memorial, both in Washington, D.C.
In the past he enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, bowling and had coached Little League and Legion baseball.
Surviving are four children Thomas E. (Rebecca) Threadgill of Allegany, Cynthia J. Threadgill of Allegany, Tracy L. (companion David) Threadgill of Allegany and Dale C. (Rebecca) Threadgill of Shinglehouse, PA; seven grandchildren Melissa (Patrick), Kristina (Jesse), Susan, Kathleen, Thomas, Zachary (Abby) and Isaac; seven great grandchildren Paige, James, Ian, John, Lillian, Beau and Jenny; one brother Charles Threadgill, of Asheboro, NC and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by three brothers John Threadgill, Edwin Threadgill and Kirby Threadgill.
Friends will be received at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean on Friday (August 27, 2021) from 3-6pm. Funeral services will begin at 6pm in the funeral home. Fr. James Vacco, OFM, will officiate. Full military honors will be accorded by the Allegany American Legion Ritual Team. Burial will be at the convenience of the family at St. Bonaventure Cemetery.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to the scholarship fund of the American Legion Post #892, 4350 Route 417, Allegany, NY 14706 or to the Pink Pumpkin Project, C/O Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation, 301 N. Union St., Suite 203, Olean, NY 14760.
Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.