Timothy Will Southard's Obituary
Timothy (Tim/Timbo) Will Southard died on September 10, 2023 in Fredericksburg, Virginia at the age of 70—but he would assure you he’s not sleeping, he’s just resting his eyes.
Born September 22, 1952 to Jean Scott Southard and Rupert B. Southard Jr., Tim was the third of six children.
A major point of pride for Tim regarding his childhood is an extensive series of elementary school report cards insisting that “Timmy” should talk less and apply himself more. Probably one of the smartest people in the room but just as likely the worst student, Tim simply didn’t have time for studying as a kid. Despite a real love of poetry, he would much rather be outside doing… well, anything else. This likely contributed to his place on the track & field team as a pole vaulter in high school, but does nothing to explain how he (briefly) played his way to being 1st chair tuba—despite not being able to completely read music.
After graduating from Fairfax High School he enlisted as a quartermaster in the US Navy with the intention of going to Vietnam. Instead, he ended up stuck on a beach in Pensacola, bored out of his mind. He swiftly grew sick of the whole thing, realizing he could just as easily sit on a beach without having to follow quite so many orders.
Distaste for school notwithstanding, Tim’s love of the environment eventually sent him to college for Forestry Management. This led to more than 30 years in the Environmental Division at Fort A.P. Hill (now Fort Walker) as a forester, then land manager, and, finally, natural resources specialist.
Tim hated boneless wings (it’s a chicken nugget), the phrase “and also”, socks, a poorly loaded dishwasher, and know-it-alls. Most importantly, he hated the Bradford Pear tree that plagued his front yard for almost 20 years.
Otherwise, he was a pretty laid back guy. Unfailingly kind, he’d give you the shirt off his back even if he didn’t have a spare at home. He was happiest with his feet in the sand at the Outer Banks, smoking an incredible brisket or “spatchcocked” chicken in his backyard, playing his guitar or mandolin, watching cooking shows/anything on the Discovery channel, or putzing around the house.
Tim is survived by his wife, Marguerite Nolan Southard, daughter Caitlin Southard-Harris (Jeremy), step-daughter Jennifer Bullock (Jon), granddaughter Wren Southard-Harris, grandson Ryan Bullock, brother Joseph Southard (Tara), nieces Brooke Southard and Rebecca Frye (Preston), nephews Rob Barnes (Katherine), Matt Barnes (Alison), Jacob Barnes (Ali), and Johannes Klitsch, in-laws Mary Lynn & Mike Harwell, Ann Nolan, and Bob Barnes, as well as many other family members and friends that he loved very much.
He is predeceased by his parents as well as his siblings John, Kathleen, Matthew, and Ann.
A casual celebration of life will be held at the Lee’s Hill South - Community Center on October
21st between 12pm and 3pm. It is requested that no black attire be worn—not even for Cait, whose wildly depressing wardrobe was something her dad never let her hear the end of. Bonus points if you come in flip flops or crocs, because Tim believed real shoes were no better than prisons for feet.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in Tim’s name to an environmentally minded charity like The Chesapeake Bay Foundation or The Nature Conservancy.
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