Thomas Gray Shermer passed away Saturday, September 9, 2023 at his home in Yorktown, Virginia after a courageous battle with cancer.
He lived a life devoted to God, his wife, Patricia Shermer, family, and friends. His caring, loving spirit and wisdom lifted the lives of those around him.
Born Thomas Gray Shermer March 26, 1942, in Winston Salem, North Carolina to his parents, Gilson Gray Shermer and Eleanor Tesh Shermer (both deceased) Thom lived his childhood years In the Montview district in the north side of Winston Salem.
While living there he completed all 12 grades. At Mineral Springs High School, he was a member of the track, baseball, and football teams earning a treasured Mineral Springs athletic letter. Thom also played coronet in the marching band and traveled to band festivals and marched in parades. His favorite song that he played very well was “Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White”.
After graduating from high school in 1960, Thom enlisted in the U S Navy and completed basic training at Great Lakes Naval Training Station north of Chicago, Illinois. He continued on from there receiving training in Navy missile technology in the Norfolk area and at White Sands, New Mexico. Thom was also stationed at Mare Island, California, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Italy, sailing in both the South China Sea and the Mediterranean Ocean while crossing the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. After retirement from the Navy as a Warrant Officer in 1982, Thom continued to make his home in Yorktown for the remainder of his life. Thom continued working for various employers including Noland Plumbing and Industrial, training employees, and Northrop Grumman Aerospace Company, in Quality Control Assurance
Thom was very proud of his family.
Thom is survived by his son Charles Shermer (Janet), daughter Kelly Wood (Thomas), daughter Christine White, and son Thomas Shermer. Thom and his wife Pat have 11 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Thom also is survived by a brother, Talmadge Shermer of Winston Salem, NC, and three sisters Diane Williams (Don) of West Lafayette, IN, Jane Smith of Winston Salem, NC, and Cathy Pauley, also of Winston Salem, NC.
Deep appreciation and gratitude are extended to those of Heartland (ProMedica) Hospice, Riverside Hospital, and neighbors and friends who gave care, love, and support for Thom and his family.
A memorial service is to be held at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Suffolk, Virginia with military honors on Tuesday March 26, 2024 at 11 a.m.
Thom would wish that in his passing the words of Paul would be remembered that “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
In place of customary memorials contributions can be made to charity of you choice.
