Lt. Thomas Mitchell Bagot, US Army/ US Coast Guard Retired, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 12th, 2023 at home in Palm Harbor, FL surrounded by family and friends. Tom was born on September 23, 1957 in Arlington, VA to Col. Alfred William (US Army Retired) and Helen Nickerson Bagot and graduated from Bucksport High School in Maine and the University of Maine at Orono with a BA in Political Science. Tom enlisted in the US Army on September 26, 1979 and was assigned as a primary staff officer of the 2nd Battalion, 32nd Infantry, 7th Infantry Division in Fort Ord, CA working in Military Intelligence. He then completed Rotary Wing Flight Training at Fort Rucker, AL after which he served as a helicopter pilot stationed in Frankfurt, Germany for just over 3 years rising to Company Executive Officer for the 62nd Aviation Company (combat) overseeing a staff of 150. Returning stateside he went back to the US Army Aviation Training Center in Fort Rucker, AL this time as the Company and Airfield Commander at Cairns Army Airfield. In 1989, Tom transitioned from a Captain in the Army to join the US Coast Guard as a helicopter pilot at the Clearwater, FL air station immediately engaging in search and rescue missions as well as drug interdiction missions, largely with the Bahamian drug enforcement agency. He was awarded the Sikorsky Helicopter Rescue Award for a lifesaving rescue in May, 1991. He also served as the air station safety officer and the Coast Guard representative for the Clearwater County Emergency Operations Center. While at this assignment, Tom met his soon to be wife, Julie Lechlak, the sister of his Germany army buddy, Dennis Lechlak. Tom hung up his pilot license in 1991, moved to Miami with Julie and began working at the US Customs/US Coast Guard Air Interdictions Center to continue the fight against air and sea drops of illegal narcotics. After a year, he took an office position at the District Seven Marine Safety Division. Tom supervised commercial fishing vessel inspectors, worked with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and various state agencies on emergency environmental spill cleanups, served on the Group V Oils Work Group defining methods for the safe transportation and handling of Group V petroleum oils on the water, and created the district wide training program for rapid deployment of the Vessel of Opportunity Skimming System (VOSS) on any platform in the event of an oil spill. During his tenure in Miami, he and Julie were married and in 1999, he retired after having achieved his goal of serving his country for 20 years.
Tom moved back to the Clearwater, FL area and enjoyed 20+ years of retirement never having to put on a uniform again, playing golf and traveling.
Tom will be remembered for his love of people, kindness to everyone he encountered, loyalty to family and friends, a penchant for wearing swim shorts and his ‘nothing is sacred’ sense of humor. If tensions arose, he would use his quick wit and endearing smile to bring warmth and friendliness to the situation. He had the most contagious laugh and was known to engage in long lasting bouts of laughter with his friends. Tom’s moral compass pointed right and true and contributed to his natural leadership skills.
Tom is survived by his loving and caring wife Julie Lechlak, and his brother William Bagot (Kathy) of Cape Charles, Va. Tom also leaves an extended family of cousins, nephews, nieces, great nieces and nephews, godchildren, and many friends all of whom will miss him enormously. He was predeceased by his parents Alfred and Helen, and siblings Michael and Anne. A memorial mass will be held later this year in Castine, Maine followed by interment with military honors at the Castine cemetery and a celebration of life. A local celebration of life is pending. In appreciation for all the tender care Tom received in his final days, a donation to your local hospice organization would be a wonderful gesture or any charity of your choice as Tom was very generous to all causes.
Michael Hayes
January 17, 2023, 11:39 am
Hey brother, we have known each other for 40 plus years, the fun we had cannot be publicly written about, nor duplicated! Our time in Germany was some of the best times in my life. You helped me raise my oldest daughter when I lived with you at Ft.Rucker, and I am sorry I plugged your pool filter with a woman’s panties. Our best years were probably the rest of the years as we would get together and laugh our asses off at the memories. Thank you Julie for completing his life, and taking care of him these many years. God bless both of you, Tom, I will see you on the other side and our laughing will attract the others to us. Cheers!
Linda Goodson
January 17, 2023, 1:05 pm
I will always remember and admire Tom’s comforting and easy going nature. He was a pleasure to work with and I will miss him.
Jeannie Russell
January 17, 2023, 1:16 pm
Love that picture of Tom. He had a knack for making people smile. Sending sincere condolences to all the Bagots, and thinking especially of Julie and Bill. Feeling like we should leave some flowers at the poop deck 💙💙 Jeannie and Michael
Rob Carmichael
January 17, 2023, 1:37 pm
Tom was a great friend with whom I had more laughs than I can remember. Julie, my heart breaks for you; you will be in my thoughts and in my prayers.
Marion Serna
January 17, 2023, 4:03 pm
Sending my thoughts and prayers to Julie and to Tom’s family. Tom was a wonderful and thoughtful neighbor and will be sincerely missed. Special prayers will be said at the Epiphany of Our Lord Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Tom’s honor.
Karen Bagot
January 17, 2023, 6:56 pm
That picture is PERFECT!!!! It IS Tommy! I have so many wonderful memories of Tom and Julie in Castine!!! I will treasure them!
Ron Whitney
January 17, 2023, 8:03 pm
Oh, brother Tom, you will be missed so dearly. I’ve always said, if you go through a career in the Army and can name five men who are truly leaders, Tom is clearly on my list. A great friend, mentor, leader who was always willing to help when and if he could. The stories are epic (even chronicled in the “Anything Goes” book), the times were great and the friendship is one which I will always cherish.
My condolences to Julie and Tom’s family, I can’t imagine your grief. But please know you are in our thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time.
Rest in Peace My Brother, we’ll all hoist a shot of Apfelkorn one day again!
Brigette Hayes
January 18, 2023, 12:01 am
Tom,
What a wonderful person and friend you were to Mike and I….you will be missed.
You and Mike were always funny with your many stories which I will forever hold in my heart. Julie he loved you so much. You completed him. ❤️ Rest in peace my friend,
Brigette Hayes
Brigette Hayes
January 18, 2023, 12:25 pm
Thoughts and prayers with the entire family. Tom was a wonderful friend to Mike and I. We shared a lot of fun times with him and Julie. Julie you completed him!!!
You will be missed
Alan Vandergrift
March 31, 2023, 3:35 pm
Tom, I remember all the fun times we had in flight school and later the great parties at Briarwood apartments during the advanced course. My thoughts and prayers go out to Julie and your family.
Beth Vandergrift
March 31, 2023, 3:56 pm
I am so sad to hear about Tom’s passing. What an amazing guy he was. As others have said, his smile was infectious and he brought happiness and fun wherever he went. He was kind, thoughtful and generous and he will be dearly missed by all who loved him. So many great memories. When he and Julie got married, I realized he found the perfect person to share his life with him. I am so glad he had someone as wonderful as her by his side. I too will look forward to sharing an apfelkorn and a few beers with him when we meet again…on the other side! Sending love and hugs to Julie and the rest of his family.
Randy Heitman
April 15, 2023, 4:22 pm
I was just thinking about Tom today and googled his name. Unfortunately, I learned the sad news of his passing. Tom was my first platoon leader on my first “real” Army assignment in Germany. Not only did I learn a lot from him, he was really fun to work with and made coming to work a pleasure. We will all miss him.
Tommy Pequeno
May 26, 2024, 10:04 am
It was quite a shock to learn of Tom’s passing and it still has not quite sunk in yet. When I think of my life in the military I would have to think of him being right there in the highlights. We went through US Army flight school together (class 81-26), we shared the classroom time and the check rides. After graduation we also were assigned to the same unit in Germany together arriving at the same time. How cool was that. Lots of good stories about that unit including one where he and I flew to Holland to represent the US Army at an airshow. Our OH-58 was parked for a static display for the duration, but we weren’t. Thanks Tom for the awesome memories.
Tom was such a very positive guy with an infectuous laugh and most enjoyable to be around. He will be missed by many. My wife Sheri and I offer our condolences to Julie, family and friends.