Thomas Elwood “Tom” Rust, a lifelong Georgetown resident, community volunteer and retired banking officer, died April 14, 2026, at Bayhealth Sussex Hospital. He was 73.
Born Nov. 5, 1951, in Georgetown, he was the son of Raymond A. Rust and the late Evelyn Givens Rust. He was also preceded in death by his stepmother, Mollie Brown-Rust.
Rust graduated in 1969 as part of the final class of Georgetown High School and went on to earn his degree from Shepherd College in 1973, where he was a member of the Delta Sigma Pi fraternity and played on the tennis team. He spent 38 years in banking, beginning his career with Wilmington Trust Co. and later serving as a senior banking officer and branch manager in Milford. His career included positions in Milford, Georgetown and Harrington before his retirement following M&T Bank’s acquisition of Wilmington Trust.
Deeply committed to his community, Rust was a 52-year member of the Georgetown Fire Co., where he served as treasurer for 41 years and received numerous honors, including the President’s Award, Firefighter of the Year and Lifetime Fireman of the Year. He was also a longtime member of the Kiwanis Club of Georgetown, serving as treasurer for more than 28 years and as a past president.
His extensive civic involvement included service on the Advisory Council for Developmental Disabilities Services for the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, coaching bowling and bocce for Special Olympics Delaware, and serving as treasurer of Union Cemetery. He was also a member of the Historic Georgetown Association, Wesley United Methodist Church, American Legion Post 8 and a former ambulance attendant with Station 93.
Rust enjoyed traveling with his family, especially cruises to the Caribbean and Alaska, as well as following sports, gardening and helping neighbors, often clearing driveways after snowstorms. He was known for his dedication to family, including providing daily transportation for his daughter, and for his enthusiasm for local sports teams and fire service memorabilia.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Fay Stayton Rust; his daughter, Melissa; his father, Raymond A. Rust of Tavares, Florida; his sister, Rae Lynn Dotson (Randy); and several extended family members.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, April 19, and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, April 20, at Short Funeral Services, 609 E. Market St., Georgetown. A fireman’s service will follow at 1 p.m. Burial will take place at a later date at Union Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Georgetown Fire Co., Inc., PO Box 77, 100 South Bedford Street, Georgetown DE 19947.Top of Form
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