John Tole Obituary

Dr. John R. Tole and Mrs. Judith "Judy" Stiles Tole

The world has lost two gems. Dr. John R. Tole, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on September 21st, 2024, at VCU Hospital in Richmond, VA. Judith "Judy" Stiles Tole, R.N., beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away on January 26, 2025, at her home. They were married for 55 years. John and Judy are survived by their son Jeremy Tole (BB), grandsons Torin and Triston, and daughter Johanna [Tole] Blake (Keith).

John was a native of Washington, D.C. and attended Drexel University (B.S. Electrical Engineering) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.S. Aeronautics and Astronautics and Ph.D. Instrumentation). Born in Baltimore, MD on April 30, 1945, Judy grew up throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She earned her nursing degree at the University of Pennsylvania Nursing School in Philadelphia. Judy and John met in Philadelphia, were married, and moved to the Boston, MA area where both of their children were born. Judy often said that having kids was the best thing she ever did.

John was connected to Rappahannock County and the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia for his entire life. John and Judy moved their family, including John's mom, Liz, to Rappahannock in 1983 and had many happy memories on the 'farm'. Judy started Evergreen, Etc. in 1984, a farm that sells rhododendrons and Christmas trees. Judy was still selling Christmas trees a month before her death. John's maternal roots in the Shenandoah Valley date to German immigrants in the 1750s. His father's family immigrated to New York in the early 1800s. Judy's father's family immigrated to Cape May, New Jersey and lived in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

John was a member of the Rappahannock County School Board for 10 years (last 4 years as chairman). During this period, he was involved with the development of classes in creative and productive thinking. Judy was the co-founder of Headwater's Starfish Mentoring program, a computer lab instructor at Rappahannock County High School, and volunteered countless hours to the sports and band programs that her kids were involved with over the years. History was among Judy and John's longstanding avocations. Judy was the executive director of the Rappahannock Historical Society (RHS) for 20 years and later John served as president. They wrote many successful grants to local, regional, and national funding agencies to support such efforts as digitization of the Society's archival collections and improvements to its museum. John and Judy co-authored two books on local and regional history: Histories and Mysteries of Rappahannock County and The Sperryville Bicentennial History. In addition, John was the designer and editor of the book Dear Old Ellwood. Judy brought many worthwhile historical programs to the community.

John and Judy dedicated their lives to helping the world be a better place. Whether through engineering applications, teaching, volunteering, nursing, growing Christmas trees, music, or sharing their knowledge of history, they gave their all to each endeavor. John was an engineer who taught at MIT and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, created security systems for the White House, and was a musician, and farmer. Judy dedicated her life to helping people through nursing. She started her nursing career working in operating rooms with the latest technology of the time. Her career continued through working in labor and delivery at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Massachusetts, pediatric health at Child Health in Warrenton, VA, and was the coordinator of the free clinic in Washington, VA. As an avid musician, John began playing guitar and banjo as a teenager. He performed historic American music of the 1700s and 1800s, modern acoustic folk and bluegrass, and songs based on the poetry of Robert Burns. For twenty years he was the managing partner of the musical group Evergreen Shade. Recently, John emceed the open mic night at Estes Mill (Apple Atcha Cider) and was a regular performer at Belle Grove, Sky Meadows State Park, and other venues.

Judy and John will be forever missed.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, May 25th, 2025, from 3-5 PM at the Rappahannock County Park Pavilion at 7 Park Lane, Washington, VA 22747.