Thompson Harman Funeral Home
Thomas Balch, 72 of Lovettsville passed away on October 12, 2024, due to Glioblastoma brain cancer. Tom was born in Spokane, Washington, to Lewis and Juliet Balch. He spent the first half of his life all over the American West, ultimately settling first in Las Vegas, Nevada and then Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1983, he met his wife of nearly 41 years, Julie. In 1988, they moved cross country to Northern Virginia, where they spent the remainder of their life together.
Members of the Loudon Community will best know Tom as the proprietor of Balch's Transmission Service, which Tom and Julie ran together from 1995 to 2023. Tom's Father taught him from the age of 9 about automotive work and Tom had begun his career in automotive work at the age of 15 with his first job. Tom began rebuilding transmissions professionally at the age of 22. He was well-known and well-regarded in his field.
Tom was an avid hiker, often putting in twenty miles a day, even into his seventies. Over the past 30 years, he could be frequently spotted on the Appalachian Trail and any number of parks in Western Loudoun County. His final walk was at Othello Park with Julie on September 30th.
Tom was an avid lover of music, having played the viola in his youth. He also played stand-up bass for a country western band in Las Vegas.
He was a member of the Lovettsville Lions Club and attended Saint Joseph on Carrollton Manor Catholic Church.
Most of all, Tom was a loving husband (aka Big Guy), father (aka Dad), and grandfather (aka Papa). In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children Thomas Jr. in Albuquerque, NM; Michael (Arona) in Alexandria, VA; Virginia (Kenneth) Brennfleck in Frederick, MD; and Matthew (Ashley) in Richmond, VA. His grandchildren Kristen, Kathryn, and Kayla Brennfleck and Freya, Nimue, and Emrys Balch were much beloved by Tom. He is also survived by his siblings Mary, Bill, Russell, and Ann.
Relatives and friends were received at Thompson Harman Funeral Home, 31 E. Main Street, Middletown on Monday, October 21, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 2:00 pm in Holy Family Catholic Community, 7321 Burkittsville Road, Middletown, MD 21769. Fr. Michael Rubeling will officiate. Interment followed in Christ Reformed Cemetery, Middletown, MD. Condolences to the family may be made at www.dbthompsonfuneralhome.com
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