Harry Curtis Tomlin

Whitehurst Powell Funeral Home
436 West James Lee Blvd.
Crestview, FL 32536
850-682-3052
OBITUARY
HARRY CURTIS TOMLIN
MAY 11, 1944 - MARCH 24, 2022

Rev. Harry Curtis Tomlin (MSGT. USAF) age 77; passed safely to his Heavenly Home on Thursday Night, March 24, 2022, on his beloved wife's Birthday at the North Okaloosa Medical Center after being severely ill and having several surgeries since November 2021.
He was the Pastor of the Crestview Mennonite Church in Crestview, FL since May 11, 2014, along with his wife of 27 years, Elizabeth Dianne Cook Geralds Tomlin.  Together they sang Southern Gospel and Country Gospel music together all around the Southern United States since 1993 as the name "DESTINATION HEAVEN".
Other than the Mennonite Church, they served faithfully and was very active at Live Oak Baptist Church, Crestview, where he was licensed to Preach under the tutelage of Rev. Bill White, Northbay Baptist Church, Niceville, Orange Hill Baptist Church (Associate Pastor) in Chipley, FL, Country Oaks Baptist Church in Sandhills, Chipley, FL (Associate Pastor) , New Smyrna Assembly of God Church, Bonifay, FL, Victorious Life Worship Center, Crestview, under the tutelage of Bro Donnie & Sis. Karen Cadenhead who licensed and ordained him in Crestview, FL;New Beginnings Church in Crestview, FL where he was ordained as a Southern Baptist Minister under the tutelage of Bro. Raymond Williams, Crestview. FL.  Bro. Raymond sent the couple to Shoal River Baptist Church to fill a vacant pulpit in Mossy Head, FL. then they attended to Milligan Assembly of God Church where they attended for a few years.  After returning to New Beginnings Church, Bro. Raymond sent the couple again to the Crestview Mennonite Church, under the tutelage of Bro. Ben Martin, where he served until the time of his death.
Every battle station they were sent to, they still beheld life-long friends who became like family and still remained close til this day.
Harry was born in Franklin, Tennessee on May 11, 1944, to Rolfe and Rubye Tomlin.  He was predeceased by his parents, a brother, James Rolfe Tomlin, of Sierra Vista, AZ and sister and brother-in-law Nancy Ann Tomlin Smithson and husband George Smithson of College Grove, TN
After his father was killed in a farming accident, he and his mother moved to her hometown of Pine Hill, AL where he played High School Football and was offered scholarships to play football by Lou Holtz of Arkansas and Bear Bryant at AL.  However, wanting to be like his big brother, Jim; he joined the USAF where he retired as Master Sergeant in 1985.  He married Pat Blanton Tomlin while stationed in CA. Pat died Nov. 11, 1992 six weeks after they moved to Crestview.  In addition, his step-son John Harlan Geralds, Crestview,  2019. 
On June 11, 1994, he married Dianne where they served the Lord together everyday until the day he died.  They met when he was a Paramedic that served as one of Dianne's preceptor's when she was in EMT School at what was them OWC in Niceville, FL.  It was love at first site and the fairy-tale began for both of the die-hard Volunteers.
Being a TRUE TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER, at the time of his death he was a Chaplain for the Crestview Police Department, and he was a Crossing Guard for the Schools in Crestview. He dearly loved the CPD, he loved the officers, he prayed for them, helped them and was a member of the CCPAA (Crestview Citizen's Police Alumni Association) where he was Vice- President last year.  He helped raise funds for the Police Department's many fund raisers. 
He volunteered his entire life wherever he lived.  He was a Boy Scout 1 step from becoming an Eagle Scout.   He was a volunteer fireman in CA., in Thailand, he volunteered with a missionary to build a church and helped getting Bibles into Cambodia. He also worked with the American Red Cross, where he was promoted to the NWFL Manager.  He went on several deployments during his tenure with the Red Cross including Hurricane Sandy at the Headquarters in New York City.  The Samaritan's Purse Organization, including the Earthquake in Haiti, again on deployments all over the country and Canada.  The Florida Baptist Disaster Organization sent him to several hurricane and tornado disasters for weeks at a time.  Had it not been for poor health, he would have been volunteering somewhere when he died.  Although he was with the Crestview Police Chaplain's until the end. They can be assured he will be watching over them in his new Battle Station.
Harry is survived by his loving wife of 27-1/2 years Dianne Tomlin, Daughters-Donna Tomlin of Cary, NC, Kathy and husband Jim Dent of Parkton, NC, Step-Daughter- Carrie Geralds Ward and Husband-Andrew Ward of `Milton, FL. Special Sister-in-law: Kathy (Kat) Tomlin, Sierra Vista, AZ.   Grandchildren Sean Marcel Clark of Seattle, WA; Christopher Jamal Clements of Cary, NC.  Sgt. Jacob Geralds, US Army stationed in Vicenza, Italy; Kaitlyn & Husband Chris Wheeler, Milton, FL. Madison Boughnou, DeFuniak Springs, FL Dixie Geralds & Kenneth Geralds-DeFuniak Springs, FL
Great-Grandchildren- Jackson Wheeler, Logan Wheeler & Eli Wheeler of Milton, FL and Lennox Boughnou and Morgan McFarling, DeFuniak Springs, FL; as well as a host of nieces, nephews and extended family and friends at the churches we have served. 
Harry's visitation will be Saturday, April 2, 2022 from 4-6pm at the New Beginnings Church in Crestview- 412 E. James Lee Blvd. Crestview, FL   The funeral will follow at 6:00pm.  Burial of his cremains will be at the Barrancas Memorial Cemetery in Pensacola, FL at a later date.

Rev. Mark Broadhead (Chaplain-Crestview Police Department) and David Landis, Overseer, Good News Fellowship, Atmore, AL.
The Tomlin family would like to Thank NOMC-ER, ICU AND SURGERY DEPARTMENTS FOR THEIR EXCELLENT CARE OF HARRY DURING THIS TRYING TIME IN OUR LIVES. May God Bless each of you for the quality and compassionate care you gave to both Harry and Dianne.  
Whitehurst-Powell Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

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