Thomas R. Shillington

Shillington, Thomas Raymond, age 85, passed away on August 12, 2020 in Mt. Juliet, TN. He struggled with a rare blood disorder, PNH, for the last eleven years. He fought the disease with spirit, good humor and a gracious manner. Whenever asked how he was feeling, Tom would routinely suggest that he was “practically perfect”.
Tom was born in Enterprise, OR on March 14, 1935. He was truly a self-made man. Upon graduating from high school in Oregon, he traveled cross-country to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology. He was a member of the Chi Epsilon fraternity. More importantly, however, is the fact that during his time at Georgia Tech, he met and married his wife of 63 years, Ann Griffin Shillington, in 1957. After working and attending classes at the same time, he ultimately graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1960.
Tom and Ann spent the majority of their married life in the Southeastern United States including stops in Atlanta, GA, Birmingham, AL, Miami, FL, Florence, SC and ultimately, Mt. Juliet, TN. While focused on raising their own children, they also acted as the patriarch and matriarch of the extended family with members located all over the United States. They truly enjoyed football weekends together pulling for both their own and their “adopted” teams as well as connecting with friends and family on extended road trips.
Tom worked primarily in the steel fabrication, pre-cast concrete and railroad industries as a sales engineer and engineering consultant. In fact, while working with Startrack Sales, Inc., Tom was instrumental in the renovation and reconstruction of the Alaskan Whittier Tunnel. This significant project upgraded the original train passage and opened the route to automobile traffic for the first time as well.
In spite of his illness, Tom was able to continue working and more importantly, travel with his devoted wife, Ann during the latter part of his life. They were able to spend a great deal of time with their extended family and exploring the world. In fact, while traveling to Alaska on business, Tom and Ann fell in love with all things Alaska. They enjoyed numerous cross-country trips together and came to love the overall culture of Alaska. It also enabled Tom to pursue his life-long passion for all types of fishing - particularly wild salmon and trout fishing.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Helen Dixon Shillington, his brother, Don Shillington and his sister, Nancy Peters. He is survived by his wife, Ann Shillington; his daughter, Lisa Hill and her husband Scott Hill; his son, David Shillington and his wife Dana Shillington; his sister, Diana Gross and his sister-in-law, Mary Ann Shillington. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Corey Hill, Michael Shillington and Lauren Shillington. Finally, he is survived by his nieces and nephews, Pamela Riebesehi, Ronda Cowlishaw, Amy Bouie, Tyna Moreschi, Donna Shillington Gaherty and Brian Shillington.
Private Family Services will be held at a later date in Decatur, GA. Any remembrances may be directed to NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders) in Woburn, MA.