Ft. Gordon, GA - Dr. Thomas Grey England passed quietly on February 24, 2018 in Augusta, Georgia, at the age of 90.
Dr. England devoted his lifetime to his country, his family, his community and the Lord. He was distinguished by having served in three of our country’s military services and at all levels. After graduating from Columbia Military Academy, at barely 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy to serve throughout the Pacific theater in WWII. After discharge from the USN, he became a full-time Warrant Officer in the 30th Maintenance Battalion of the Tennessee Army National Guard. Later, he transferred to the Air National Guard, serving as Comptroller for the 134th Air Refueling Wing in Knoxville, TN and attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
But Dr. England’s true calling was in education. After World War II, he completed his undergraduate degree in business at Western Kentucky University (Bowling Green) and started teaching at a small college in Nashville, TN. He continued to study, pursuing graduate work in business and education at George Peabody College for Teachers - Vanderbilt University, receiving his Master of Arts in 1958. Dr. England moved to Lincoln Memorial University, serving as both an Associate Professor of Accounting and the Director of Finance. Here he completed the coursework for his first doctorate at the University of Tennessee. After earning his Doctorate of Education, he returned to full-time teaching at West Liberty College, and later at Marshall University, both part of the West Virginia University system.
Dr. England then began working on his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Accounting at the University of Pittsburgh and accepted a position at Slippery Rock University. After completing the coursework, he accepted a full professorship with East Tennessee State University. Here he taught Graduate and Undergraduate accounting and served as Acting Chairman of the Accounting Department. He retired as Professor Emeritus in 1992 and completed his doctoral dissertation in 1998. Throughout his career, Dr. England was an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, including serving as part of the AICPA grading staff for the national CPA examination. He contributed regularly to accounting publications, textbooks and panels.
Twenty-two years ago, Dr. England moved to Augusta GA and became a vibrant part of its academic community. He taught accounting principles and ethics at Brenau University, Troy University and Augusta Technical Institute. Also, he was a visiting professor at Paine College, developing the College’s accounting classes into an accredited degree program.
Throughout his life, Dr. England believed in community service, and contributed to a number of fraternal and religious associations. He donated his professional skills to several churches as his career took him around the country. He devoted many hours to community service, belonging to both Webb Lodge #166 F.&A.M and the Valley of Augusta Scottish Rite. He also played a key role in the formation of the Knights of St. Andrew chapter in Augusta.
Dr. England is survived by his wife of 68 years, Dorothy Mae Cooper England, as well as two sons, COL(ret) Thomas Frank England in Augusta GA and MAJ(ret) Leland G. England in San Diego CA. He has four grandchildren, Daniel, Erin, Philip and Nicholas. A patriot, a mentor, a knight and a scholar, he will be missed.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at Platt’s Funeral Home, 337 North Belair Rd, Evans GA. A Masonic rite will follow immediately at 7:00 PM. Interment will be on Saturday in Nashville, TN.