Thomas “Tom” Michael McCawley died on November 9, 2021. He was the devoted husband to the love of his life, Beth Ann McCawley (nee Franklin) for 35 years.
Tom was born and raised in Webster Groves, MO, and loved all things St. Louis. He was a passionate Cardinal fan, gooey butter cake aficionado, Mizzou graduate, and always rooted for Webster during the Turkey Day game (despite his daughter attending Kirkwood High School.) Eventually, he and Beth Ann retired and settled on the most beautiful, North Carolina farm they’d ever seen and filled their pastures with four horses: Rocket, Fivey, Hampton, and Femme along with several Weimaraners and barn kitties.
He served in the Navy as a combat photographer during the Vietnam war and was extremely proud of the medals and commendations he earned for his service. He was an avid runner completing several marathons and thousands upon thousands of miles. He was a trained scuba diver, represented the Mercedes-Benz brand as a top car salesman, and was a vegetarian for more than 35 years despite enjoying Durkee's Dressing and Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue sauce. He was an animal lover. He read mystery novels and listened to Neil Diamond any chance he got.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Glennon and Mary Jessup McCawley; his sister and brother-in-law, Margaret “Maggie” and Michael Jost; his brother-in-law, Larry Brechbuhl; and his grandson, Justin Tanner Rhame. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Beth Ann; his kids, Jennifer Nelsen Rhame (Blain), Gordon Nelsen McCawley (Melissa), Corrine Joy Gordon (Kevin), and Lauren Jessup Nieman (William); his sister-in-law Nancy Brechbuhl; his grandchildren, Rachel Rhame, Colton McCawley, Lindee Gordon, William “Trip” Nieman, and Jake Nieman; and nieces and nephews, Philip, Maggie, Chip and Joe Jost and Brian, Brittany and Bradley Brechbuhl.
Burial services and a celebration of life will be held in St. Louis in January at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to support organizations that were meaningful to Tom and Beth Ann: Alzheimer's Association, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, ASPCA or the Humane Society, or The ALS Association.
We don't know what happens next for Tom’s spirit,
but in his words …
It'll be interesting.
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