Thomas Boyce “Tom” Whitmire, 67, of Greenville, SC and formerly of Hendersonville, NC passed away Sunday, July 2, 2023 at Chandler Creek Post Acute Nursing Home.
He was born and grew up in Henderson County, NC. He was the son of the late Boyce “Blondie” Augustus Whitmire Jr. and Kitty Lane Baker Whitmire. He was also preceded in death by his uncles, James “Jim” Whitmire, Guy “Pat” Whitmire, and John Whitmire.
Tom was born with Down Syndrome but that never stopped him from living a full life. He was always happy and a friend to everybody. He attended Hendersonville High School and worked at the Henderson County Sheltered Work Shop.
Tom went to all the Clemson Football games and even had his own personal seat. He volunteered for 22 years for Clemson University Lady Tigers Basketball Camps and also many times sat on the bench while the Lady Tigers Basketball Team played and he helped coach. When the Lady Tigers Basketball Team won the ACC Championship, he helped cut the net and received a ring. He was awarded Fan of The Year for Clemson University in 1999. He attended, sat on the bench and the sidelines of many Hendersonville/ Henderson County Jr. and High School teams to help coach them. He really loved to watch all sports.
He loved to swim, water ski and drive his little boat around on Lake Hartwell. He was a national Gold and Bronze Medalist in Swimming at the Special Olympics.
He is survived by his sisters, Patti Lane Whitmire of Mt. Pleasant, SC and Christi Craft and her husband Gene of Greenville, SC; his step-mother, Jeannette Turner Whitmire of Hendersonville, NC; his nieces and nephews, Dru Lane Hyman and her husband Alex of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Beau Lawton Craft of Greenville, SC; his aunts and uncles, William “Bill” Whitmire and his wife Louise of Clemson, SC, Shirley Whitmire of Hendersonville, NC, Patricia “Sis” Jackson of Hendersonville, NC and Jimmie Lynn Whitmire of Zirconia, NC and many other cousins.
A grave side service will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, July 8th at Shepherd Memorial Park with Rev. Steve Scoggins officiating. Tom would love all his family and friends to wear Clemson/ USC/ or any favorite collegiate team shirt or hat to his service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Hendersonville Special Friends Sunday School Class.
