Thomas Moore Callison

     Thomas Moore Callison left this earth at the end of a terrible storm and took his last breath as the sun came out from behind the clouds on April 19, 2019.

     He was born on October 17, 1940 in a small duplex on the corner of Magnolia and Main Street in Forest City, North Carolina.  He was the only child of Annie Moore Callison and George Campbell Callison.

     Tom grew up surrounded by many friends that wreaked havoc together all up and down Arlington Street, Magnolia Street, Carolina and Georgia Avenues...maybe Florida Avenue too...

    At Cool Springs High School he was a standout basketball player and received a full scholarship to play at Carson-Newman.  As much as he loved basketball, he left Carson-Newman  after coming back to his dorm and finding his roommate/teammate flinging his albums off the balcony Frisbee style.  He recognized evil when he saw it and returned home.  He completed his Bachelors Degree at Wofford College (Go Dogs!) and earned his Master's Degree in English from Appalachian State University.

    He was a career educator in Rutherford County beginning at Chase High School then moving to East Rutherford High School where he was Assistant Principal, taught and coached basketball.  Then he moved to Isothermal Community College where he taught English to eager young knowledge seekers for the rest of his career. 

     His love of music was lifelong.  He was listening to the Blues as he passed from this earth and we are sure he is listening to the Blues now.

     He leaves behind his only child, Christy Callison Jackson and husband Heath, and two granddaughters, Catherine Claire Jackson, and Charlotte Peyton Jackson.  He also leaves behind many beloved cousins, Beverly Callison Smith and husband Steve, Donnie Callison, Jane Simpson, Gay and Bill Moore,  Doug and John Moore as well as his former wife, Frieda Sellers, whom he loved at the beginning...and also at the end.

     A memorial service will be held at 11 o'clock Thursday, April 25, 2019 in The Padgett and King Chapel with Pastor Faye Herbin officiating.   Visitation will be from 10 until 11 o'clock prior to the service at the mortuary. 

     The family respectfully request that memorials in his memory be made to the Alzheimer's Association , 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60601 (www.alz.org) or AAU/YBOA Basketball sponsored by the Town of Forest City, 12 North Powell Street, Forest City, North Carolina 28043.

     The Padgett and King Mortuary & Crematory is in charge of arrangements and an online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com

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