Thomas Wellington Trivette, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother passed away January 6, 2013 in Raleigh, NC, at the age of 94. He was born in Todd, North Carolina on September 7, 1918, to the late Marshall Monroe Trivette and Celia Adams Trivette. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the US Army for 4 years in the United States and Europe. While on leave in December 1943 he married the love of his life, Ruth McGuire, and they lived in Todd for a number of years before moving to West Jefferson, NC. He enjoyed a career as an electrician until his retirement in 1982. He was an avid gardener, growing a variety of vegetables in such abundance that he and Ruth would spend much time canning and freezing the excess to be shared with family and friends. He started an apple orchard of which he was very proud, planting and grafting a variety of apples. Family was extremely important to Tom and Ruth, and they delighted in spending time with their children and their families. He was affectionately known as "Gramps", not only by his grandchildren, but by many people who knew and loved him. Tom is survived by 4 children: Joyce Benson of Raleigh, Sharon Murphy and husband Michael of Raleigh, Barbara Gibbs of Knightdale, and Larry Trivette of Todd and special friend Elizabeth Chesnut of Raleigh. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren: Jennifer O'Loughlin and husband Robert of Wake Forest, Matthew Benson and wife Kellianne of Charlotte, Joseph Murphy and Catherine Murphy of Raleigh, Rikki Gibbs, Ruth Gibbs and Ruby Gibbs of Knightdale, Kristina Trivette and fianc Andy Heggeman of Black Mountain, Jaime Roper and husband Stephen of Yellowstone National Park, WY, and Celia Trivette of Todd; and 7 great-grandchildren: Ryan and Emily O'Loughlin of Wake Forest, Ashleigh and Allison Murphy of Raleigh, and Katelyn, Matthew and Caroline Benson of Charlotte. His dear sister, Ruby Trivette of Todd, also survives, along with numerous nieces and nephews, and special friends of the family, Grace Torrey and sons John and Vincent of Raleigh. Elizabeth's daughter Clarice has also grown to know and love him. He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Ruth McGuire Trivette, as well as his brothers Page, Joseph, George, John and James Trivette and his sister Mary Trivette. Funeral services will be held at South Fork Baptist Church in Todd on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 11:00 am with Rev. Homer Murdock officiating. Burial will follow in the Howell Cemetery, Todd. The family will receive friends at the church between 10:00 and 11:00 am on Saturday prior to the funeral service. Memorial donations may be made in Tom's name to the Howell Cemetery Fund in care of Ruby Trivette, 10550 NC Hwy 194 North, Todd, NC 28684, or to the charity of one's choice.