WILMINGTON — Thomas “Tom” Hervey Nunalee, III was born on August 15, 1940, to Thomas “Tommie” Hervey Nunalee, Jr. and Louise Powers Nunalee in Wilmington, NC.
He and his siblings were raised in the Yamacraw community near Currie, NC. In his young adulthood, Tom was able to purchase his childhood homestead, where the upkeep of the property and connection to his family’s history remained a lifelong joy that he eagerly shared with many.
Tom graduated from Long Creek Grady High School in 1958 and “left the Farm” to attend NC State. After earning a BS in Agricultural Education in 1962, he served briefly in the US Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in Germany. Upon his return, he worked for the North Carolina Crop Improvement Association, certifying seed for farmers. He concurrently earned a Master of Education from NC State.
In 1965, Tom met the love of his life, Linda Carol Sloop, at the NC State Fair, where each of them were working booths for their respective jobs. Within weeks, they were engaged, and they were married in Asheville on June 5, 1966. Tom and Linda bought a house in Raleigh and started their family there.
In 1973, Tom was offered a job with Cross Seed Company in Wilmington, and the family moved to the house that he would live in for the rest of his life. Eventually, Tom became the President of Cross Seed Company, with wholesale and retail operations in Wilmington and in Charleston, SC. He was a successful businessman who took great pride in his work and treated his associates, employees, and customers with the utmost respect. Professionally, he cherished the relationships he made in NC, the southeast, and across the country, and in 1978, he served as the President of the North Carolina Seedsmen’s Association.
In 1999, Tom retired from Cross Seed Company and began a ten-year run doing building maintenance at Pine Valley Methodist Church. This job allowed him to combine two of his greatest life passions: service to the church and handyman work. He retired for good in 2009 and poured his efforts into home projects, “piddling” at the Farm, making boat trips up the Black River to his beloved Cabin, taking the family to Myrtle Beach Travel Park and the Farm in the camper, spending quality time with friends from all facets of his life, and eagerly loving and serving his family in numerous ways across the state of NC and beyond.
Tom was a lifelong Christian and a man of sturdy faith. He trusted in the Lord and kept his moral compass steady and true. He served his church in almost every imaginable capacity over the course of his life and believed fervently in first fruits giving. Tom was a proud father and grandfather, forming unique bonds with each child and grandchild. Nothing brought him greater joy than spending time with his family and friends over a good meal. He loved making people feel welcomed, and he had a laugh that made you want to tell another joke. Despite his advanced education, successful business career, and numerous accolades, he remained humble and sought to lift up others.
Tom is survived by his wife Linda; sons, Thomas Hervey Nunalee, IV and Frank Nelson Nunalee; daughter, Ashley Elizabeth Nunalee Vaccarelli; brothers, Augustus Donald Scott, Sr., Kenneth Nolan Nunalee, and James Jay Nunalee, Sr.; sisters, Sabra Jane Nunalee and Betty Jean Ingram; son-in-law, Robert Louis Vaccarelli; daughters-in-law, Carmen Elliott Nunalee and Michelle Lefebvre Nunalee; grandchildren, Andrew Thomas Nunalee, Ava Grace Vaccarelli, Annabelle Elizabeth Vaccarelli, Lauren Christine Nunalee, Owen Michael Vaccarelli, and Scarlett Lynn Vaccarelli; many treasured brothers- and sisters-in-law; and dozens of special nephews, nieces, great nephews, and great nieces.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to Pine Valley Methodist Church for the Make Room building initiative.
Tom’s funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at Pine Valley Methodist Church in Wilmington with Rev. Dr. Tim Reaves and Rev. Barry Stallings officiating. A reception will immediately follow the service at the church fellowship hall. Burial will be private at Moore’s Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Currie, NC.
Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family here.
