Thomas R. Schirack, 86, of Abbeville, died Saturday, August 31, 2013, at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton.
Funeral services will be held 1 PM, Saturday, September 7, 2013, at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald with the Rev. Jimmy Fant officiating. Interment will follow in Sandy Ridge Cemetery, Ben Hill County. The family will receive friends from 11:30-1 at the funeral home on Saturday.
Mr. Schirack was born April 19, 1927, in Canton, Ohio, the first son of the late LeRoy Thomas & Jessie Marie Whitmer Schirack. He was a 1945 graduate of Timken Vocational High School in Canton, a school developed by Timken Roller Bearing Company as a gift to the City of Canton for vocational studies. He enlisted in the United States Navy shortly before the end of his senior year. His basic training took place at the Great Lakes Naval Academy. He studied further at Coronado Beach, California. After serving his country honorably, Tom took up the study of Mortuary Science, graduating from the Cincinnati College of mortuary Science in 1948.
Tom served God and His People in several capacities and in various locations. He spent time serving in mission work in Canada, Alaska, Japan, and briefly in Scotland. He moved to the Bowen’s Mill community in 1987 as a member of the Fellowship and gave of himself in any and every aspect needed. He was a loving father and grandfather and worked with his son Tad on many projects at Colonial Ironworks. Tom will be remembered by many for his smile and his love of dancing.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 66 years: Marjorie Ann Whitson Schirack of Abbeville; four sons: Donald T. & Helen Schirack of Pickerington, Ohio, Timothy D. & Jan Schirack of Indianapolis, Indiana, A. John & Julia Schirack of Wasilla, Alaska, and Thomas R., Jr. “Tad” & Christi Schirack of Abbeville; one daughter: Rebecca G. “Becky” & James E. “Jimmy” Fant, Jr. of Fitzgerald; eleven grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and five step-great-grandchildren. Tom is also survived by one brother: Robert C. & Julia Schirack of Canton, Ohio; one sister: Kathleen Garren of Canton, Ohio; one brother-in-law: C. Richard & Gail Whitson of Willow Street, Pennsylvania as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters: Jean Marie Krabill and Shirley Ann Becherer.