On January 10, 2016, Thomas Ross Grinde was in a fatal car accident; it was his son Paul's 20th birthday.  He was returning from helping his sisters with their late father's house in Charlottesville and looking forward to getting home to Virginia Beach. 

Tom was the most influential person in his children's lives, cheering them from the stands and so proud of both.  Among the best moments in his life, in addition to their birth, was first Paul and then Vista getting accepted to Vassar College.  His sense of humor and love of life and family will not be forgotten.

Tom graduated from Albemarle High School in 1974, and received a B.S in Business Management from Virginia Tech, and an M.B.A from The College of William and Mary. He had a 30 year career in Executive VP positions in national and international sales where he made many friends, including his close working relationship with Ron Bregman. Tom was a past president of the Charlottesville/Albemarle Chamber of Commerce.

Tom was married to Tonya Grinde and they celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary on December 20th.  They enjoyed many years of skiing, golfing and travel including Europe and South America. Their passion was their children and traveling to their school and sports events, Disney World, skiing, cruising in the Caribbean, and so many other places as a family.

Tom was the son of the late Paul and Edith Grinde of Charlottesville, Va. He is survived by his wife, Tonya; son, Paul Ross; daughter, Vista Alexandra of Virginia Beach; his loving sisters, Barbara McMurry, and Joan Grinde of Charlottesville, and Paige Lauster of Hunting Valley, Ohio; six nieces and nephews, and three great nieces and nephews. 

Please make memorial gifts to Vassar College designated for the basketball team.

A memorial service and reception will be held on Thursday, January 14, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in Keswick, Va., the church where Tom and Tonya were married and their children christened.

Submitted by Sue Critzer Hughes, Sam Clarke, and Allen Carver.