Thomas Arthur Schooley

Thomas Arthur Schooley was born February 20, 1938 in Charleston, WV, the only child of Orland J. and Alice Gwinn Schooley. He died on Saturday, September 9, 2023 in Paoli, PA. Tom leaves behind no immediate family.

While he grew up in Jackson, MS he lived and worked in nine different states over his lifetime. He attended Mississippi State University (BS – 1959) and Michigan State University (MS – 1970). He received his commission as a 2^nd Lieutenant, Army, Infantry, upon completion of his degree at Mississippi State in 1959. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.

During his working life he was first employed within municipal law enforcement after completion of his degree at MS State. As part of his college military service commitment he interrupted his civilian employment and fulfilled his active duty service obligation within the US Army in 1960.  He then returned to law enforcement employment.

His law enforcement career was interrupted in 1966 by his recall, with his consent, to active duty with the Army during the Vietnam buildup. He served in Vietnam for a period of eighteen months receiving two Bronze Star Medals. Upon his release from the Army he was employed for ten years within law enforcement in North Carolina.

Subsequent to his law enforcement work he was employed in 1983 at Valley Forge Military Academy & College, Wayne, PA as a Tactical Officer for a period of twenty years. During this time he oversaw the discipline, training, and character education of hundreds of cadets. His leadership style was firm yet friendly and Tom always enjoyed seeing alumni who would return to visit him and talk about old times. 

Following his employment at VFMA & C he worked part time for approximately five years in the Security Department, GlaxoSmithKline USA, a worldwide pharmaceutical company, in Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County, PA.

Tom was a dog enthusiast committed to German shepherd dogs and enjoyed and appreciated their intelligence but, above all, their steadfast loyalty.

His friends thank the staff at Highgate at Paoli Pointe, especially Nicole Battaglio, and the Hospice Care Team from Ascend Health, for caring for Tom.

Friends are invited to Thomas's viewing, Thursday, September 14th, 4:30pm to 5:00pm followed by his funeral service at The Donohue funeral Home, 366 West Lancaster Ave, Wayne, Pa.  Interment on Friday, September 15th, 9:30am, at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Road, Newtown, Pa.