Thomas A. Chrones II, 96 of Lompoc passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2015.

Tom was the first born of Thomas A. Chrones of Athens, Greece, and Mildred (Drown) Chrones of Tiffin, Ohio. Tom was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Helen MacNeil, and Dorothy Van Winkle, and brothers Raleigh Matthews and Dennis Matthews.

Tom married Virginia Marguerite Shaull of Lansing, Michigan on September 8, 1940. Virginia (Gina) preceded Tom in death on November 17, 2000.

Tom enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in 1938; Tom attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical School and numerous Air Corps and Air Force courses in his career. Tom was a bombardier instructor during the early part of World War II. In January 1944, Tom along with the 462nd Bombardment Group left for India. Tom was a crew member on a B-29 Superfortress and flew bombing missions from bases in India and China. Tom received his commission as a Second Lieutenant on October 7, 1945. Tom transitioned into the missile command in the 1950's.

In 1964, Tom and Gina first moved to Lompoc and he was stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base. In 1968 Tom was selected to command TUSLOG Detachment 93, Erhac Air Base, Turkey. A handful of his "boys" (officers in his unit) continued to keep in contact with Tom over the years and were able to celebrate Tom's 95th birthday in 2014 at the Village Country Club. Tom considered this (their success, loyalty and friendship) his greatest accomplishment of his career. Tom retired as a Lieutenant Colonel on December 1, 1969 from the Air Force with 31 years of service to his country.

In 1975, Tom and Gina moved from Lompoc to Heritage Ranch, located on Lake Naciemento near Paso Robles. Tom had received his California Real Estate License and sold real estate for 20 years.

Tom was a "born again" Christian having accepted God's gift of salvation as a child. Tom's devout Christian views were formed and shaped in him by his mother, who read to him daily from her bible. Tom helped found and construct a church in their community of Heritage Ranch and also was a member of First Baptist Church of Paso Robles. Upon moving back to Lompoc in 2007, Tom joined the Mission Hills Community Church and was an elder in the church. Tom credits his Lord for his long life, his wife of 60 years, his children, grandchildren and extended family members, which brought him great joy.

In 1951, Tom was inducted into the Masonic Lodge and remained active until the 1980's; Tom had achieved the 32nd Degree Mason level during his time with the Masonic Lodge.

Tom is survived by his sister Mary Hostler of Tiffin, Ohio and his youngest brother Donald Matthews of San Juan, Texas, daughter Carol Ann Burdine and her husband William Donald Burdine, currently residing in Prescott, Arizona. Thomas A. Chrones III and his wife Joellen Chrones, currently reside in Lompoc. Christopher J. Chrones and his wife Deanna (Dee) Denny, currently reside in Visalia, California.