Obituary of Thomas McCormick Crisp

Thomas McCormick Crisp peacefully slipped away at a mountain area hospital on Sunday, July 5, 2015. Tommy, as known by his family and friends, was born on January 30, 1942 at home on South 7th Street in Fernandina Beach, Florida. He was born to Buell Madison Hicks Crisp, formerly of Fontana, NC and Catherine Janet McLendon, formerly of St. Mary's, GA. He was named after his paternal grandfather Thomas Fidel Crisp and his maternal grandfather Pollard McCormick McLendon. Tommy attended Nassau County schools in Fernandina Beach and graduated with his class in 1960. The home of Tommy and his siblings on North 15th Street was the local gathering spot of friends while music played on their jukebox in the carport. After graduating from high school, Tommy spent time shrimping with his mother's family in the Atlantic and the Gulf. Later he entered Air Force basic training at Lackland AFB in May 1962. He then attended Tech School at Sheppard AFB before being stationed at Forbes AFB in Topeka, KS from Sept. 1962 to May 1966. After leaving the Air Force, he settled back in Fernandina Beach, FL to raise his family. He worked at ITT Rayonier pulp mill as a mechanic and pipe fitter until his retirement in December 2004 after 43 years of service. He was over the fire system and highly regarded as the "Fire Chief". Tommy was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his children, Pam (Mitch) Rushton of Fernandina Beach, Florida; Thomas D. Crisp of Bryson City, NC and Jenny (Brian) Abels of Bryson City, NC. He left behind seven grandchildren, Casey Wise of Yulee, FL; Mitchell, Andrew and Emily Rushton of Fernandina Beach, FL; Kaitlyn and Britton Abels and Kaileigh Crisp of Bryson City, NC. Also great grandchildren, Avelyn and Lillianne Greene of Yulee, FL. He is deeply missed by his beloved beagle "Happy" and was preceded in death by his best friend Gerry Williamson. Tommy known as a prankster and loved practical jokes, vegetable gardening, planting fruit trees, canning, deer hunting, fishing, family history and genealogy, cooking and hosting bbq's. Visitation for friends and family will be held Friday, July 10th from 6-8 at Crisp Funeral Home. A memorial bbq will be held at noon on Saturday, July 11th at the Deep Creek Picnic Pavilion. Arrangements for a Florida memorial will be announced at a later date. Burial at a later date near his parents at Dehart Cemetery in Bryson City, NC. Arrangements with Crisp Funeral Home in Bryson City, NC. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his name to Swain County Genealogy Society PO Box 267 Bryson City, NC 28713 or the Rathbun House via online link at http://www.missionhealth.org/patients-and-visitors/family-friends/amenities-visitors/rathbun-house.