Thomas Hager Blatnik
February 10, 1957 ~ November 26, 2025
Born in:
Washington, DC
Resided in:
Leesburg, VA
Thomas Hager Blatnik, 68, of Leesburg, Virginia, formerly of Arlington, passed away unexpectedly on November 26, 2025. Tom was born on February 10, 1957, in Washington, D.C., to the late Congressman John A. Blatnik and Gisela Hager Blatnik. He is survived by his sisters, Stephanie Foxwell (Harry) and Valerie Mallett (Robert), and his nephew, Nathan Sigel.
After graduating from Curry College in Massachusetts, Tom began his career on Capitol Hill working for the Doorkeeper of the U.S. House of Representatives. For 37 years, he held various positions serving five House Sergeants at Arms. He became a familiar face at the Capitol, greeting thousands of visitors over the course of his career. He considered it an honor to be part of the place where important policy decisions were deliberated and debated, and took special pride in working in the same institution where his father, Rep. John Blatnik, represented Minnesota’s 8th District for 28 years.
He held great admiration and affection for his colleagues, maintaining close relationships with many even after they retired or moved on. He cared deeply about others, especially persons with disabilities and those facing special challenges – a compassion shaped in part by his own childhood diagnosis of dyslexia at a time when the learning disability was little understood. The passage of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990 was deeply meaningful to him. He considered it a privilege to witness firsthand the debate on the ADA from the House galleries and was honored to join legislators and other guests at the White House for the signing of the Act into law.
Those who crossed paths with Tom consistently remarked on his extraordinary kindness, generous spirit, warmth, and sense of humor, qualities that defined him throughout his life. He retired in 2024 and enjoyed his retirement and new friends he made at Hessler Heights in Leesburg, Virginia.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held January 7th, 2026 at 11:00am at The National Presbyterian Church’s Chapel of the Presidents with a reception to follow. Ample parking is available in the church parking lot, please enter from Van Ness Street.
Services
Memorial Service: January 7, 2026 11:00 am
Room: Chapel of the Presidents
The National Presbyterian Church
4101 Nebraska Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 537-0800
https://nationalpres.org/
Reception: January 7, 2026 12:00 pm
The National Presbyterian Church
4101 Nebraska Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 537-0800
https://nationalpres.org/
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Dear Val and Family,
Words cannot express how deeply sorry we are about the loss of Tom. He was a perfect gentleman, intelligent, sweet and made me feel so at home. He gave a great tour. May he rest in peace.
Love,
Mirt and Dwight
Our heart goes out to you during this time of grief. We were devastated to hear about your loss. Please know that we are thinking of you and sending you love and strength.
Our deepest condolences,
The Mallett Family in Houston, Texas
Tom was a kind presence and I know how deeply he was loved. I’ll always remember his kind smile. May you find comfort in the love that surrounds you.
I already miss my weather updates every morning and receiving a Peanuts comic gif to celebrate the holidays or any given Friday. I’m glad to have met Tom at work 17 years ago and to have made such a dear friend. May his memory be a blessing.
Valerie and Stephanie,
All of us in the RPJ family are deeply saddened by the passing of Tom.
We can speak from our own experience that he was an extremely kind, gentle, and easily likeable person.
It was truly our pleasure to have known him!
We certainly want to learn about your plans for remembering him in January.
Condolences and warmest regards,
Les, Liz and the entire RPJ team
Tom, my friend, you will be missed.
I pray that you’re resting in eternal peace.
You will sorely be missed ❤️ it was my pleasure getting to know you, I will never forget you.
From the moment I met Tom as a young House Sergeant at arms staffer I knew we would become good friends. Tom was such a bright light in an environment that can, at times, be a very dark place.
While I would much prefer the circumstances to be different, I know that Tom will be smiling down on us all when we are able to get together and celebrate his live in January.
May his memory be a blessing.
Words cannot capture how dearly you will be missed, and how heartbroken I am that you are now looking down at us from above. In my life every step of the way, I wouldn’t be the young man I am today without you. I remember it all from my trip to the Capitol in elementary school, to our dinners and lunches together, to your uplifting spirit at just about every holiday I can remember. Always the biggest, warmest heart in the room, your spirit of selflessness and generosity served as a steady guiding light to us all–a reminder as to what really matters in this world. I love you Uncle Tom. I just wish I could have said it one last time, over a big feast at Uncle Julio’s, with a Vikings sweatshirt on, and the game playing in the background.
We are thinking of you and sending strength and love.
Tasha & Pat