Roll Call Tribute

Thomas C Sheives
July 15, 1950 - January 31, 2020

Thomas C. Sheives passed away peacefully on January 31, 2020 at the age of 69. Tom entered into his new life in heaven thanks to his never-wavering faith in Christ. His wife and sons were with him in these final moments, giving thanks to God for Tom's integrity, love, and strength.

Tom's life ended in Pennsylvania, but he was always a Texan at heart. He was born in 1950 in the Rio Grande Valley on the border with Mexico. He learned the value of hard work by working in his uncle’s produce warehouse. After graduating from McAllen High School, he went on to earn four degrees: two undergraduate degrees - one from Texas A&M (whoop!) and the other from Baylor University -, a Master’s degree from Texas A&M, and a PhD from the University of New Mexico. He worked hard, and was one of the few who could indeed say he was a “rocket scientist.” Tom never stopped learning with a “growth mindset” throughout his career, which included working at Sandia National Labs in New Mexico, with the oil and material handling industries in Texas, training project managers for two years during the Panama Canal lock expansion project, and starting and running his own company for 13 years from Arlington, Texas. His favorite job was his last: helping to launch and lead the Master of Science Program in Project Management at Harrisburg University in Pennsylvania while mentoring American and international students and other faculty along the way.

One of Tom's greatest joys was playing tennis. He played at the collegiate level at Baylor, taught his sons, and organized regular matches several times a week wherever he lived – whether in Texas, Maryland, or Pennsylvania. Tom was fearless on the court, but a dear friend to those with whom he played.

Tom had a blessed life and is survived by his gracious wife, Rosemary Sheives of Mechanicsburg, PA; his loving, faithful sons and their wives, Paul and Christina of Maryland, and Kevin and Katie of Washington, D.C.; his beloved grandchildren, Meredith, Kyle, Liam, and Harrison; his loving and tireless sister and her husband, Nanette and Tom Newbern of Kerrville, TX; and his mother and biggest advocate, Martha Ruth of Kerrville, TX. He was predeceased by his father, Oliver Francis Sheives. Tom is also survived by his spiritual daughter, Angela Nagano, and her husband, Phillip, and adored spiritual grandchildren, Eden and Ezra. He was very proud of all of his family and loved them deeply.

There will be two opportunities for memorial services to celebrate Tom’s life. The first will be February 15, 2:30pm, at West Shore Free Church in Mechanicsburg, PA. The second will be March 1, 3pm, at the Lake Church in Arlington, TX. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Believe Big (https://believebig.org/donate/), a non-profit, faith-based cancer support organization that was near and dear to Tom.



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