Thomas Parham Jr.

THOMAS (TOMMY) FLETCHER PARHAM, JR. departed this life on the evening of Tuesday, June 8, 2021, at the age of 42 after a valiant battle with brain cancer. Born on August 13, 1978, he was the only son of Thomas Parham, Sr. and Joyce Ann Pugh Parham of Beckley, West Virginia. In Beckley, he graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, then matriculated at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management of Information Systems. Tommy was a successful entrepreneur and cybersecurity professional as the Founder and CEO of ATO Consulting.

In 2001, Tommy moved to Washington, DC where he met his loving bride and best friend, Angela Kerri Allen Parham, and they married on August 27, 2005. Together they brought three beautiful daughters into the world – Olivia Grace (11), Sophia Dominique (8), and Sage Evelyn (7) – and they were Tommy’s pride and joy. In fact, Tommy’s family was the center of his universe and they came first. He balanced his strong work ethic with spending quality time with them and sometimes had to be reminded that work still awaited him after trips for ice cream or a game of hiding and seek. Tommy worked tirelessly to ensure Angela and his girls were happy, healthy, supported, and empowered every day until his last breath.

Tommy enjoyed sports, especially boxing and fishing, but most notably he was captivated with reading autobiographies of great men of wealth and business. He recited poignant quotes – even if from rap lyrics – and applied valuable lessons and strategies to his own work and life. His aspirations were laudable, and even early in his career, he wore a suit every day to show onlookers where he wanted to be. Tommy thought he wanted to be great, but he was greater than he ever thought; his wealth was in his heart, and he made investments of lover and dedication to his family, friends, and community.

Tommy’s faith in God was unshakeable, and he was a humble servant. He was a proud member of the Alfred Street Baptist Church of Alexandria, Virginia, where he was active in the prison ministry to support and encourage incarcerated men and their spiritual journeys. Although he was an only child, Tommy cherished his brothers of the Alexandria-Fairfax (VA) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. where he served as the Keeper of Records. Initiated into the Beckley (WV) Alumni Chapter in 2009, he continued to serve the fraternity and worked to empower local youth through leadership and sports programs. He was also active in the Father’s Auxiliary of the Northern Virginia Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. and was a Charter Member of the Prince William County Chamber of Commerce.

Tommy was preceded in death by his grandparents Rev. and Mrs. Henry A. Parham and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pugh, and his father-in-law William E. Allen, US Navy ret.

In addition to his parents, wife, and children, Tommy leaves behind a host of family, including his Mother-in-Law Eulita Allen; Uncle David and Brenda Pugh, daughter Laura Pugh; Uncle Bob and Brenda Pugh, daughters Lisa, Nichole, and Kelly; Uncle Rayfus Parham; Uncle Henry and Ann Parham, daughter Angela; Aunt Evelyn Collins, son Joyson and daughter Renee Williams. He also leaves behind a multitude of friends, colleagues, and neighbors, an indelible imprint on the communities he touched.

His wife, Angela, would like all to know that although Tommy has left us early, he has not left us bitter or broken. His legacy is who he was as a husband, father, son, and friend, and most importantly as a good man.