HAMPSTEAD — Tom Forehand of Hampstead, N.C. died October 13, 2024 at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare.
Tom was born James Thomas Forehand in Wayne County, N.C. November 11, 1936 to Zilpha Pearce and James Chester Forehand. His family relocated to Morrisville, North Carolina when he was very young where he resided all through his school years. After high school, Tom joined the Marines where he served from 1953-1957. His tour of duty took him to the Mediterranean as well as other locations. While on tour in the Caribbean he got the chance to be an extra in the military movie Away All Boats in which he played a casualty of war. He loved to tell that story.
After his time in the service, Tom attended Campbell College before moving to Miami where he entered the sheet metal apprentice program. In 1964 he returned to North Carolina, where he worked as the sheet metal shop foreman for Budd-Piper Roofing and Sheet Metal in Durham.
In 1976 Tom met Kathleen Moore and in 1978 they relocated to Fort Worth, Texas where he worked for Cento Industries as a project foreman overseeing many jobs in other states. He left after three years and started his own company as an industrial and commercial HVAC contractor. During this time, Tom and Kathleen joined Woodhaven Country Club and became avid golfers, while at the same time they made lasting friendships with many members. On weekends they explored many historical sites. Later years were spent boating and camping in many different areas of Texas and in Oklahoma on Lake Texoma. Upon Kathleen’s retirement in 2004 from UT-Arlington, they purchased a 5th-wheel camper and traveled throughout the country from the Florida keys up to the northwest and down the pacific coast along with their Shih-tzu Sha Shi and cat Maxi.
In 2006 Tom and Kathleen returned to North Carolina to be near family and bought a home in Hampstead. Tom loved being near Surf City as he had many happy memories of time spent fishing with his father and brothers there. Tom had a backyard workshop that he used for precision woodcrafting as well as playing and repairing guitars Mornings, he enjoyed joining his buddies for breakfast at the Sawmill Grill and continued this ritual as long as his health allowed.
Tom is survived by his wife Kathleen, children Bryant Forehand and wife Iva Lee, Teresa Forehand and husband Don McIntyre from a previous marriage, and Joseph Moore and Wife Kathryn and Stephanie Moore Turner and husband, Michael. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Katie, Joey, Cullen and Sydney; brother Kenneth Forehand and wife Barbara, sister Sandra and husband Donald Watkins.
Tom was predeceased by his parents and his brother Morris Forehand and his sister Carol Johnson.
The family would like to thank the devoted and caring staff of Lower Cape Fear LifeCare.
No services are planned at this time.
