Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

September 4, 2020

CHARLOTTE- Thomas Fairchild Sheridan passed away on Friday, September 4, 2020, nearly three weeks after reaching the age of 78 years old. After a brief illness, he died peacefully with his beloved wife Betty and sons Scotty and Tommy by his side.

Tom was born August 17, 1942 in Muskegon, Michigan to the late Nell Fairchild and Edward James Sheridan.

He was raised a devout Catholic, attending St. Mary’s school in Muskegon in his early years where he developed a relationship with Christ that would stay with him for the rest of his life.

As a young man, Tom enrolled in the U.S. Air Force where he served for four years as a Personnel Specialist, at one-point living in Okinawa, Japan.  During his time in the Air Force he developed a love for and taught many adult education programs. Upon returning from the Air Force, Tom attended the University of Illinois, Muskegon Community College and Western Michigan University where he received a BBA in Marketing with a Minor in General Business.

In 1964, he met the love of his life, Betty Jane Felcoski.  They were married in 1966 and lived together almost inseparably for fifty-three years.  They welcomed two sons, Scott Michael and Thomas Jay, born just fifteen months apart, while living in Dayton, Ohio when Tom was employed with NCR Corporation.  In 1972, Tom was recruited by Cardinal Associates and moved his family to Charlotte. He spent several years with Cardinal Associates before joining Pic ‘n Pay Stores and then finding his home at National Welders Supply Company, acquired later by Airgas, where he mentored countless employees and made lifelong friends serving as Vice President of Human Resources, before retiring in 2013.

Tom loved Dewer’s Scotch and Soda and sitting by a fire.  He loved his crossword puzzles and played a mean game of Solitaire, spending hours at home in his study honing his game.  Tom was a strong patriarch of his family, a good friend to all, and the first to tell a joke with a twinkle in his eye.  He loved his family pets and joined Betty almost daily to walk his dogs Maska and Gisi in the park. Tom was an enthusiastic fan of the University of Michigan and could often be heard shouting “Go Blue!”

Tom never met a stranger and had the gift of gab, sharing his wisdom openly and earnestly. He believed wholeheartedly in sharing the word of God, often offering words of encouragement to those he had just met, encouraging them to just open up and “talk to the Lord”.

He was a good father to Scotty and Tommy and even better grandfather to his cherished granddaughter Anna and grandson Beckett, who affectionately referred to him as Papa.

Tom was a strong, proud and good man who will be missed by many. He is survived by his loving wife, Betty; children, Scott Michael and Thomas Jay and his wife, Gina; grandchildren, Anna Noelle and Beckett Hight, all of Charlotte, as well as many nieces and nephews.  He is also survived by his brother, Jim and his wife, Nancy Sheridan.  Tom was preceded in death by his brother, Dennis Sheridan.

A funeral mass will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, September 19, 2020 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Operation Homefront of the Carolinas, serving America’s Military Families, P.O. Box 8209, Topeka, KS 66608-9802 or St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 6828 Old Reid Road, Charlotte, NC 28210.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.