Robert Thomas Dooley, Jr.
R.T. “Tom” Dooley, Jr., graduated from Andrew Lewis High School in 1952. A fine athlete, he played junior varsity and varsity football, varsity basketball, and participated in track. He was also a member of the Latin Club, Hi-Y Club, SCA, and Monogram Club.
He began post high school education at Virginia Military Institute and in 1956 earned a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering. This was followed by attending Georgia Tech where he received an M.S. degree in Structural Engineering in1957.
After completing his formal education, Tom entered the United States Air Force in 1958 with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Under the command of General Yates at the Patrick Air Force Base, he was assigned construction projects at Cape Canaveral, Florida. He remained there for three years and received an honorable discharge in 1961. For his work with the Air Force, Tom was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal.
Over the next sixteen years, Tom continued a career in the construction field and in 1977 founded the R.T. Dooley Construction Company in Charlotte, North Carolina. His company specializes in the construction of commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings. Both of his sons, R.T. (Bob) Dooley III and David are currently employed at R.T. Dooley Construction.
Tom never lost his love for sports and became a junior high and high school football official in 1960. In 1967, he began officiating college football with the Southern Conference and joined the National Football League as a line judge in 1978. He became a referee with the NFL in 1981 and worked Super Bowl XV in New Orleans. Tom continued officiating professional football for1 4 years before deciding to retire from the NFL in 1992.
The combination of being a Christian and a very caring person has certainly played a role in his practice of serving many causes and organizations in which he believes. In addition to personally setting up scholarships funds, R.T. Dooley Construction Company joins him in giving to charities and organizations in the North Carolina area. Notably, scholarships named the Matthew 25 Scholarship Fund annually grant scholarships for students at V.M.I. and at private schools and colleges in North Carolina. Beginning with his Super Bowl check in 1980, Tom gave every NFL paycheck received over the next 14 years to the Matthew 25 Fund. In 1996, a second Matthew 25 Scholarship was started at the Charlotte Country Day School. Currently, there are a total of four of these scholarships. Although retired from the NFL, he continues to endow scholarships with funds he receives from his work in mediating and arbitrating construction related problems.
Tom has been the recipient of many honors including the National Association of Sports Officials Gold Whistle Award and the George Williams Award presented by the Charlotte YMCA. As part of his community service in North Carolina, he has served on the Board of the YMCA, Charlotte Country Day School, and the Masonic Children’s Home. He has served as Chairman of the Building Development Commission for Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, served on the Criminal Justice Commission, and was Chairman of the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.
Tom and his wife, Nancy Wheeler Dooley, reside in Charlotte, and in addition to sons “Bob and David, have a daughter Nina Dooley McLean. They are blessed with eight granddaughters. Tom’s mother, Helen Dooley, continues to reside in Salem, Virginia.
In recognition of his outstanding career achievements, Robert Thomas Dooley, Jr. is inducted into the 2003 Salem Alumni Hall of Fame established by the Salem Educational Foundation and Alumni Association.
