Life Reflections
BEHOLD, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Psalm 133:1
Thomas Henry Wise, Jr., affectionately known as “Butch”, or “Tom” by family and friends was born on July 23, 1947 in Washington, D.C. Of three children, he was the first born son of Mary Lou and the late Thomas Henry Wise, Sr. On Tuesday, January 12, 2010, God in His infinite wisdom and divine foresight decided that it was time for his wonderful son, to return to the Great Architect of the Universe.
Tom was introduced to God at an early age. During his formative years and early adulthood, he was an active member of St. Edward’s Roman Catholic Church. Later, he attended churches throughout Baltimore City, and in 1995, he found his new Christian home and became a proud member of Douglas Memorial Community Church.
Education had the utmost importance to Tom. Butch always said that he was a proud product of the Baltimore City Public School System, graduating from Edmondson High School in 1965. Aspiring to achieve his best, he attended Morgan State College, now University, where with honors he received his Bachelor of Arts degree. He furthered his education by obtaining a Masters Degree in Correctional Administration in 1973 from now Coppin State University.
New into the workforce Tom began his career with the Urban Services Agency and later spent 14 rewarding years with the Maryland State Department of Juvenile Services before entering the federal government. As a federal employee, he served as the Director of Community Programs holding the responsibility for all State operated group homes.
On September 17, 1984 Thomas H. Wise, Jr. was appointed as a United States Probation Officer and assigned to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland as a line/field officer. Unlike State Parole and Probation Agents, Federal Probation Officers have law enforcement status, and the Authority to Carry a Concealed Weapon. Aspiring to be something more, he quickly moved through the ranks, and was promoted to Supervising United States Probation Officer. During this period he attended multiple training programs where he was able to excel. On June 15, 1994 he graduated as class Valedictorian from District Firearms Instructor School at the University of Alabama Law Enforcement Academy in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Through this he became the department’s first firearms instructor. Tom further continued his training at the Allentown Pennsylvania Police Department Training Facility where he became a certified NRA Police Firearms Instructor on July 22, 1997. Thereafter he completed Smith and Wesson Armors School in Springfield, MA and on May 5, 2000, he completed the Maryland State Police Firearms Instructor School. Thomas provided training to numerous Assistant Firearms Instructors in offices across the country. To name a few: the United States Secret Service, the United States Marshal Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, NSA Police, Lorton Correctional Facility. Finally, on September 30, 2004 Tom retired from law enforcement as Deputy Chief United States Probation Officer for the United States District Court of Maryland, having served in this position for ten years. To the upmost degree he upheld his oath to “defend and protect the citizens of the United States”.
Tom’s dedication extended well beyond his professional career, he was “A Mason’s Mason,” always more willing to give than he was to receive. He was a proud and dedicated 35 year member of William F. Taylor Lodge #57, and the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Maryland. During these years, he loved to fellowship with his brothers. Tom excelled at the principles of this fraternity and served as Deputy Grand Master for the Maryland Jurisdiction. He was a 33rd Degree Mason, Past Potentate of Jerusalem Temple #4, Past Commander In Chief of Hiram Consistory #2 and a Royal Arch Mason. Tom also served as the President of the Board of Trustees and a board member of the Prince Hall Foundation. Prior to becoming an elected officer, he served the Grand Lodge for many years as District Deputy Grand Master for the Fifteenth Masonic District, and was often asked to be a guest lecturer for the Lodges of Instruction.
Out of his years of service and titles, he was extremely proud of his work to bring Prince Hall and A.F.&A.M. Masonic Brothers together to mutually recognize each other as Masons after more than 218 years of existence in the state of Maryland. He was the first Grand Lodge Representative of Prince Hall Masons to enter an open A.F.&A.M. Lodge in Maryland. Tom served as the first Grand Representative to the Grand Lodge of Maryland A.F.&A.M., the United Grand Lodge of England and the Grand Lodge of Italy.
Never forgetting where he came from, Tom served as President of the Board of Directors of the Baltimore Adolescent Treatment and Guidance Organization (BATGO), which serves youth that are economically disadvantaged, at risk for juvenile delinquency, homeless and abused or neglected. He firmly believed, “we must address the alarming fact that nearly one million children are reported missing in this country”. Tom remained committed to the youth of our community and implemented the Prince Hall Masonic Child Identification Program, which was recently named the Thomas H. Wise, Jr. CHIP in the Jurisdiction of Maryland.
Although, he spent a large amount of time furthering his career and spending time with his brothers, Tom was an artist. He was an avid golfer and one of the most recognized jazz musicians in the State of Maryland. As a little youth only in second grade, he began playing the drums and he continued playing professionally until his professional and personal commitments to Masonry demanded more attention.
He is survived by his loving family: wife of twenty-eight years, Tinetta Walker Wise; mother, Mary Lou Wise; brother, Daryl Xavier Wise, and sister, Karen Renee Orange; two sisters-in-law, Sheila Wise, and Brenda Jo Parker; four nieces, Mia and Cherise Orange, Stacey Wise and Johncyne Parker; two nephews, Derek Wise, and Jermaine Parker; two great-nephews, Camaren Sparrow; and Joker Sumter, a host of other relatives and friends. His step-daughter Joanetta Jones and in-laws Melvin & Mary Walker preceded him in death.