Thomas Sullivan Obituary

Thomas Ray Sullivan MYRTLE BEACH, SC - Thomas Ray Sullivan, 71, passed away peacefully at his residence in Socastee in the loving care of his family on April 1, 2015. Born in Williamson, NC on August 17, 1944, Thomas was the son of the late Dolton Rupert Sullivan and Velma Jackson Sullivan of Greenville, NC. He was also predeceased by a brother, Dolton Rupert Sullivan Jr. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Carol Barlow Sullivan of Socastee; sons, Thomas Ray Sullivan II (wife Caroline) of Summerville, SC and Chad Barlow Sullivan (wife Valerie) of Charleston, SC; grandchildren, Dolton Tyler Sullivan and Devin Lee Sullivan of Myrtle Beach, SC, Chance Barlow Sullivan and Peyton Lee Sullivan of Charleston, SC, and granddaughters, Makayla and Niveah of Summerville, SC. Thomas also has a sister Barbara Woods of Greenville, NC and a sister-in-law Marilyn Sullivan of Choctaw, OK. Tom was a member of the United States Air Force and retired as a Senior Master Sergeant after 24 years of faithful service to his country. He served as an aircraft environmental systems technician, field training detachment instructor, and retired as a first sergeant at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base in 1990. While serving as an instructor he made time to coach youth football on base. After military retirement, Tom received an Associate Degree in Environmental Systems from Horry-Georgetown Tech and opened an air conditioning business (Superior Air) with other fellow retirees. They worked this business successfully for 10 years before retiring permanently. A boat trip down the Waccamaw River to Sandy Island was one of Tom's favorite pastimes. He has always enjoyed boating, fishing, woodworking, and talking and joking with his many friends. He was always known for his sense of humor, even cracking jokes during his illness. The last few years he got involved with the organization Sav-R-Cats and adopted a feral cat group near the river. He made many special friends there, but Bubba and Debbol will miss him the most. Tom was a faithful member of Socastee United Methodist church where he helped with Street Reach and served as an usher and trustee. A celebration of life will be held there Saturday, April 4, 2015 at 11 AM conducted by Pastor Ray Smith. The family will receive friends after the service in the Fellowship Hall followed by refreshments. The family would like to thank Lower Cape Fear Mercy Hospice for the support they gave Tom and family. The family asks in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Socastee United Methodist Church: 5575 Dick Pond Rd. Myrtle Beach, SC 29588 or Sav-R-Cats: PO Box 2740 Myrtle Beach, SC 29588. Sign an online guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com/obituaries Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston