Thomas E. Gebbie

Augusta, GA – Thomas Edward Gebbie, husband of Rosemary (Sullivan) Gebbie, and son of the late John and Dorothy Gebbie died on Sunday, December 22, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia.

Mr. Gebbie was raised in Park Ridge, Illinois along with his younger brother with whom he has always been very close. At Maine East High School Mr. Gebbie excelled not only in the classroom but also on the basketball court. As he neared completion of high school, Mr. Gebbie was recruited to play ball by five major universities. Mr. Gebbie chose to play for Duke University, and he was granted a full four-year scholarship by the university. Mr. Gebbie considered it a great opportunity, as well as an honor to play basketball under the leadership of famed coach Victor Bubas. 

Upon graduation from Duke University (1964) with a double major in electrical engineering and chemistry, Mr. Gebbie went to work for companies in and around Northern Virginia that supported the technical efforts of various U.S. Government agencies. In his 10-year career in the private sector, Mr. Gebbie developed a highly regarded reputation in his field. Based on his reputation for excellence, Mr. Gebbie was recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in 1974. 

During his government career, Mr. Gebbie travelled extensively throughout the world to see first-hand the types of environments Agency officers had to work in. He did this to determine which tools Agency officers needed to accomplish their missions in a safe and timely fashion. 

 Mr. Gebbie rose rapidly in the ranks of the CIA. The Agency sponsored Mr. Gebbie’s participation in various advanced programs such as the Harvard School of Business and Military War College training. Mr. Gebbie was promoted to the Senior Intelligence Service (SIS), rising to a rank equivalent to that of a three-star general. He served in this capacity until his retirement from the CIA in August 2003. 

Upon his retirement from the Agency he received various awards. One quote from his retirement ceremony best sums up Mr. Gebbie’s Agency career. “Through his guidance, leadership and vision, Mr. Gebbie has made a significant and lasting contribution to the advancement of technology in the CIA and the United States Government. During his Agency career, which spans over twenty-nine years, Mr. Gebbie continually provided innovative and successful ways of applying technology to the hardest of intelligence requirements. He has been a true visionary, serving the CIA and the Intelligence Community as a whole. Mr. Gebbie’s foresight, leadership, and tireless dedication to the mission of the Agency reflect credit upon him and his Federal Service.”

On a personal level, throughout his life Mr. Gebbie enjoyed his favorite pastime of golf and he pursued relaxation through gardening and piloting his plane over the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. 

 In addition to his wife, Mr. Gebbie also is survived by his brother, Donald Gebbie (JoAnne) of Naperville, Illinois; and two nephews: John Gebbie (Vanessa), and their son, Devon of Lake Oswego, Oregon; and Thomas Gebbie (Lisa), and their two children, Mailey “Mae” and John “Jack” of Naperville, Illinois. 

All services will be private. 

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484.