Thomas Hord

Waynesville, Thomas Anthony "Tom" Hord, age 81, entered peacefully into the Kingdom of Heaven on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at the Brian Center. A native of Cleveland County, he was the son of the late James Robert and Mary Jessie Oates Hord. He was a retired US Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict and a retired residential building contractor. Tom faithfully attended Bethel Baptist Church and was a Gideon. He also was a past officer, volunteer driver and fundraiser for the disabled American veterans. Tom's comfort came from his Bible and his loving family. He was never happier than in the presence of children. His eyes lit up with joy playing Santa-Claus while volunteering at Southwestern Child Development. Tom is survived by his wife of twelve years, Alma Stuart Hord; a daughter, Cathy Allen and husband, Randy, of Shelby; sons, Thomas Hord, Jr. and wife, Sharon, and James Hord and wife, Phyllis, of Clyde and David Hord of Asheville; stepdaughter, Jan Potter and stepson, Eddie Messer and wife, Tammy, of Canton; sisters, Joanne Wilson, Jewel Crocker and husband, Bill, Phyllis Gillespie and husband, Ronald, and Brenda Mauny, all of Shelby; eight grandchildren; two step grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and neighborhood children, who loved him dearly. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2015 in the Waynesville Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Dr. Roy Kilby and Reverend Dean Bradford officiating. Burial will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park with military graveside rites conducted by VFW Post 5202 and American Legion Post 47. Tom's grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m. prior to services at the funeral home. A special thanks is extended to family friends, Colleen Vaughan, Vonda Hunter and Julie Ferguson who helped with his care during the last weeks of Tom's life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of NC, 1305 Navaho Drive, Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27609.

Previous Events