Thomas “Tommy” Watson Gore, Jr., age 87, gently slipped into the arms of Jesus on July 17, 2026. He was born July 19,1938, in Fort Pierce, FL to the late Thomas Watson Gore, Sr. and Frances Douglas Gore.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Sussie “Sue” Wheeler Gore; daughter, Ada Serafini (Kelly) of Alma; brother, Johnny Gore (Susan) of Williston, S.C.; grandchildren, Kelly Malchow (Brenton) and Vincent Serafini; great-granddaughters, Audrey and Emily; several nieces and nephews also survive.

He served in the Florida National Guard for 10 years and was a field agent for the Florida Department of Archaeology for 36 years. During his early career, he discovered the first intact treasure chest recovered from Florida’s historic 1715 Spanish Fleet shipwrecks, filled with silver coins. In addition, he was a true Florida legend who spent decades keeping his community safe as a dedicated nuisance alligator trapper for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC).

Funeral services will be held Thursday July 23, 2026, in the chapel of Crosby Funeral Home at 2 PM with Pastor Steve Dees officiating. The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home from 1 PM until service time. Interment will follow at Fort Bassinger Cemetery in Fort Bassinger, FL. on Tuesday July 28 at 1 PM.

Albert Leon Wheeler, Brenton Malchow, James Johnson, Kelly Serafini, Kneedum Wheeler, and Perry Wheeler will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Haisley Funeral Home in Fort Pierce, FL is in charge of interment.