Thomas Aumen

Maggie Valley, Thomas John Aumen (Tom John), age 84, passed away on Friday, August 19, 2016 at St. Joseph/Memorial Mission Hospital, Asheville. Thomas was a native of Hershey, Pennsylvania. He is the son of the late Robert and Carrie Smith Aumen. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Richard and Robert. Thomas attended Hershey schools and after Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Miami, Florida. He served four years in the Air Force during the Korean War. He established a helicopter charter service in Maggie Valley before becoming mountain manager at Cataloochee Ski Area until 1990. He and his wife, Alice, were managers at Cataloochee Ranch until 1995, where he designed and built many of the present-day ranch buildings. Tom John was an accomplished woodworker and fabricator of all things fanciful and pragmatic. Thomas is survived by his wife of 50 years, Alice Alexander Aumen; one son, Alex, and his wife, Ashli of Maggie Valley; and three granddaughters, Jorja, Sarah and Vivian Aumen. A memorial celebration will be announced at a later date. Memorials may be made to Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 160 South Main Street, Waynesville, NC 28786.

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