Thomas Elwood Rust, 73, entered heaven on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at Bayhealth Sussex Hospital. Tom, a live long resident of Georgetown, was born November 5, 1951 to Raymond A. and Evelyn Givens Rust.

Tom is preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn (1995); and stepmother, Mollie Brown-Rust (2025).

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Fay Stayton Rust; and their daughter, Melissa; his father, Raymond A. Rust of Tavares, FL; sister, Rae Lynn Dotson (Randy) of Tavares, FL; brother-in-law, Michael D. Stayton (Charlotte) of Salisbury, NC; sister-in-law, Lynn Stayton Young (Richard) of Madison, VA; brother-in-law, Mark P. Stayton (Rose) of Frederica, DE; several nephews, nieces and cousins.

Tom, a proud native Georgetownian, was in the last graduating class of Georgetown High School (1969). Upon graduation from Shepherd College (1973), where he was a member of the Delta Sigma Pi fraternity EK165 and on the tennis team, he began his banking career with the Wilmington Trust Co. retiring after 38 years as a Senior Banking Officer and former Branch Manager of the downtown Milford branch. Tom’s career began in Milford, he transferred to Georgetown, back to Milford as Manager, then to Harrington and retired from Georgetown shortly after M&T Bank acquired WTC.

Tom was also very active in the community. He was a very proud member of Station 77, the Georgetown Fire Co., Inc for 52 years, serving as it’s treasurer for the last 41 years, receiving their President’s Award, Firefighter of the Year Award, plus Lifetime Fireman of the Year Award; member of the Kiwanis Club of Georgetown for 44 years, also it’s treasurer for 28 1/2 years, Past President and cooker of thee best BBQ chicken; member of the Advisory Council for the Developmental Disabilities Services in the State’s Department of Health and Social Services for 33 years; coach of bowling and bocce for Special Olympics Delaware Landsharks/Riptides; treasurer of Union Cemetery (Georgetown); member of the Historic Georgetown Association; former ambulance attendant with Station 93, American Legion Post 8; member of Wesley United Methodist Church. He was also active in assisting the Auxiliary of the Georgetown Fire Co. with their events, typically behind the scenes.

Tom, Fay and Melissa always enjoyed vacations together exploring the Caribbean and Alaska on cruises and driving around the United States. He also provided DTS (Dad Transportation Service) taking Melissa to and from work. And he enjoyed working in the yard, beaming with the complements from the golfers “the best looking yard around” and “better than the golf course.” And after snow storms, he could be found using the snow blower to clean neighbor’s driveways. Tom also enjoyed attending the Delmarva Shorebirds games and watching the Orioles as a family, the Phillies (when he could find them on TV), golf, football and college basketball. In his younger days, Tom enjoyed playing tennis, softball and golf. He also has a collection of Hess and antique fire apparatus.

Tom will be sorely missed by his family, friends and the organizations of which he was a huge part.

Fay and Melissa extend their thanks to the Georgetown Fire Co. and Auxiliary, Stephen Peeke, MD, Delbert Kwan, MD, Kieran Py, MD, Georgetown Family Medicine staff, Bruce Rogers, the wonderful nurses and their aides on 52A, ER staff, physicians and valet parking staff at Bayhealth Sussex, and those who keep Bayhealth Sussex Campus running as smoothly as possible.

A full fireman’s service will be held at Short Funeral Services, 609 E. Market Street, Georgetown, Delaware, with a special thanks to Harry Fletcher. Visitation will be on Sunday, April 19 from 6 pm to 8 pm, and Monday, April 20 from 11 am to 1 pm.  The service will begin at 1 pm. Burial, at a later date, will be at Union Cemetery, next to Tom’s mother.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to: Georgetown Fire Co., Inc., P.O. Box 77, Georgetown, DE 19947-0077.

Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Services in Georgetown, Delaware. Online condolences may be shared at www.shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com