“A life well lived unexpectedly ended early. Thomas Kalina, 56, of New Bern, NC, passed away peacefully in his home on October 14th 2022.
Born in Asmara, Ethiopia in 1966 to Joyce and Lou Kalina, Tom was fiercely curious about the world from the start. As a child of diplomats, he attended school in Okinawa, Cyprus, Nicaragua, Bahrain, and Greece where he made lifelong friends.
While a student at George Mason University, Tom was selected for the US Army’s student co-operative education program. Upon graduation, he became an intelligence officer with the US Army Intelligence and Threat Analysis Center. He went on to work with the Federal Aviation Administration as an aviation security specialist before transitioning to the Central Intelligence Agency where he spent the majority of his career in the counterterrorism field. He was recognized on multiple occasions by the CIA and the US Intelligence Community for his exceptional service.
Tom was passionate about exploring new cultures, food and historic sites. He was able to indulge these interests through his professional and personal travel. Tom was also an avid outdoorsman, plane enthusiast and lover of rock music and fast cars.
Tom retired from the Central Intelligence Agency in 2018. He spent most of his retirement fishing and enjoying his new home on the water in New Bern, NC. Tom and his former wife Coleen share one child, Lauren. Tom is survived by his mother, father, sister, three brothers and daughter.
The family requests that all flowers and notes are sent to Cunningham Turch Funeral Home. There will be a visitation at Cunningham Turch Funeral Home, on Wednesday November 2nd from 6-8PM, as well as a second visitation on Thursday November 3rd from 9-10AM. The funeral service will follow at St. Louis Catholic Church on Thursday November 3rd at 11:00AM.”
811 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
11/02/2022
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Sorry to hear abut your son Lou. Best to you & your family. Charlie & Lina Manila, Philippines.
I was so saddened to learn of the passing of your beloved son. It appears he lived a productive and outstanding life in his few years on this earth. Nothing can take away the pain you feel now but hopefully knowing there are many who are remembering you and him in this sad time will be of some comfort. My dear husband Warren (Chuck, Charlie) passed eight year’s ago, and I know he would add his condolences to mine. We remembered our years in Asmara and the people we met there fondly.
I was saddened to learn of Tom’s passing. He was way too young and our prayers and condolences go out to his family.
Lou and Joyce, Please accept our profound condolences regarding the loss of Thomas. I’m at a loss
for words. We will pray for you. Bobby
I was greatly saddened to learn of Tom’s untimely passing. My professional association with him began in the late 1980’s when he was still in college and I worked at the Army’s Intelligence and Threat Analysis Center (ITAC), where Tom’s intelligence career started under the student co-operative education program. Our association continued through our time together at the Federal Aviation Administration, where for a while I was his supervisor. Tom was always reliable, astute, conscientious, and good-humored–any supervisor’s dream employee, I should think. I regret that our last contact occurred before I retired from Federal service in 2006, and I wish our respective career paths had coincided even more than they did. Although I never met any of Tom’s family, I want to extend them my most deeply felt condolences.
James Padgett
Love to Lou & Joyce and all my family.
I wish to be with you, Carol
We would like to extend our condolences to the family. May God comfort you through his word the Bible and the gift of prayer. Thinking of you all.