Thomas N. Shea, Sr. died December 26, 2018. He was surrounded by his loving wife and children at his home which was his wish. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, December 28, 2018 at South Highland Freewill Baptist Church, State St., Muscle Shoals. The funeral service will be Saturday morning at 10:00 AM at the church with Doris Chaney officiating. Burial will follow in Colbert Memorial Gardens with full military honors.
Tommy, as he was known to family and friends, was born September 16, 1927 to John Clement and Connie Malone Shea. He grew up in Sheffield and attended Deshler High School. He joined the U.S. Navy in August, 1943 at the age of 16, He served in the European theater in the amphibious forces having been at invasion at Normandy, France. After returning home from the war he attended trade school becoming a journeyman carpenter and millwright. He worked for TVA from 1953 until 1982.
Upon the election of his childhood friend, Buddy Aldridge, as sheriff of Colbert County he established and lead the sheriff’s auxiliary reserves for 36 years.
For many years before EMT’s and paramedics Tommy instructed First Aid classes throughout the community working tirelessly with County Coroner Jesse York for many years. In later years he became traveling companion and personal aide to U.S. Senator Howell Heflin during the senator’s last two years in office.
He was a member of South Highland Freewill Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by grandchildren Butch Rickman and Angela Rickman Vaughn.
He is survived by his wife June, sons Thomas N. Shea, Jr. (Joyce) and Jerry McCormack Shea, and daughter Connie Shea Rickman. Grand children Marcy Morris, Doug Rickman (Tammy), Brianna Rickman, Holly Shea Anderson, Erin Shea Geise (Tucker), Ten great-grandchildren and six great-great¬grandchildren.
Jeffrey Anderson, Roger Denton, Tucker Geise, James McCollum, Chris Rickman, and Josh Rickman will serve as pallbearers.
The family wishes to thank grand-daughter Marcy Morris and family friend Ida Wellington for the care and kindness to our Dad. We also wish to thank Community Care Hospice nurses and assistants for the wonderful care and support. Special thanks to Drs. Taylor, Barco, Wall, Clarke, Patel and Daugherty; special aide, Cathy Dinges.
