Tommy Browning Piner Iii

Thomas "Tommy" Browning Piner III, 71, of Beaufort, passed away Friday February 10, 2017 at Cherry Point Bay Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Tommy retired after 32 years as the Targets Officer at Piney Island Bombing Range. He was a lifelong member of Ann St. United Methodist Church, a Mason - Franklin Lodge and Crissie Wright Lodge, and a Shriner -from Sudan Temple of New Bern. Tommy was a man who never sang his own praises; but his praises were voiced in boardrooms, on vessels at sea, and in control towers on would-be ranges in other areas far from the Mid-Atlantic Electronic Warfare Range he built on little Piney Island northwest of the Thoroughfare Bridge on the way to Cedar Island. That range, known as Bombing Target (BT)-11, served as the training area for our pilots who went from there directly to the Persian Gulf wars, Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He traveled all over the country and out of it to advise our Navy and others on how best to create and effectively maintain such a range. It was well known that Mr. Piner knew how to get things done that couldnt be done. His approach was to provide exactly what was needed, not necessarily what folks thought they wanted. Prior to his civil service employment, Tommy worked as Party Chief on the EASTWARD, the coastal geodetic survey vessel assigned to Duke Marine Lab on Pivers Island in Beaufort inlet. Among his varied responsibilities, he ensured all necessary equipment was on board and in proper working order prior to departure and at sea. Of course, he also made sure the coolers and picnic baskets were well stocked too. He took all aspects of his job as Party Chief very seriously. He never forgot the kindnesses of Dr. John Costlow nor those of two similar figures in his life, Mr. Richard (Dick) and his wife Shirley Babcock, whose encouragement led to his self-education in electronics and diploma from the Radio Engineering Institute of Electronics in Sarasota, FL. Tommy was known by many local boaters as "The Mayor of Shackleford" because for years, he was a constant figure on a houseboat that remained anchored there from just before Easter until usually well after Labor Day, being moved in and out now and then to satisfy State Park requirements that no permanent anchorage occur beyond two weeks. One could hear Jimmy Buffets "One Particular Harbor" and other favorite tunes before reaching the shore as Tommy sat there under his umbrella enjoying life. But he was always ready to answer the call of any boater in distress. He even left his home in Broad Creek and drove to his boat moored behind the Beaufort-Morehead causeway to rescue a stranded friend who had called his cell phone. He was what Jay Gatsby would have called a "true sport, old man" if ever there really was one. A Celebration of Life, with Masonic Rites, will be held at 11:00AM Saturday February 18, 2017 at the Lynn Eury Park, across from Beaufort Town Hall, with Rev. Taylor Mills officiating. Casual attire is welcome. The family will remain for a while after the service to visit with Tommy's friends. Tommy is survived by two sons and their families: his son, Thomas "Tommy" Piner IV of Newport, NC, and his children Mason Browning Piner of Wilmington, NC, and GraceAnne Gayle Piner of Swansboro, NC; and his son Shawn Piner and wife Shannon of Beaufort and their children, daughters Taylor and Lillian and son Silas all of the home; his "baby sister" and "trusted agent" for almost all of his last nine years Saundra Gale Piner of Beaufort, NC; one brother, Bruce Piner of Fredericksburg, VA; nieces, Traci Perry of Beaufort, NC, and Nikki Piner of Loveland, CO; nephews, Scott Perry of Leland, NC, Phillip McClendon of Seguine, TX, Andrew Piner and PVT Alex Piner of Stafford, VA, and USCG Seaman Zach Piner on USCGC EAGLE; five great nieces and four great nephews. Mr. Piner was preceded in death by his parents, Tommy and Colleen Guthrie Piner. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested to be sent to Ann Street United Methodist Church choir or other, 417 Ann Street, Beaufort, NC 28516, or given to the charity of ones choice. Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noefs.org Arrangements by Noe Funeral Service, Inc. of Beaufort, NC. Service Information Memorial Service Saturday February 18, 2017 11:00 AM Lynn Eury Park (Beaufort Town Hall) 701 Front St Beaufort, NC 28516