Thomas Edward McCabe

Thomas Edward McCabe went to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 25, 2024. He was born in Syracuse, NY on October 11, 1942. He is survived by his wife of almost 58 years, Margaret Grace Roper McCabe, three children: Jenifer Aldan McCabe Parrent (husband, Tim Parrent), Thomas Randall McCabe (wife, Leslie Cotter McCabe), and Matthew Edward McCabe (wife, Kimberly Cornett McCabe). He had 8 grandchildren who adored him, Maddie Parrent O’Brien (husband, Davis O’Brien), Anna Kate Parrent, Cole McCabe, Gray McCabe, Westy McCabe, Hayes McCabe, Jackson McCabe, and Auden McCabe. He is also survived by his sister, Debbie McCabe Doan, brother-in-law Gary Doan, sister-in-law Jane Roper Schimmer, and a multitude of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Edward McCabe and Ethelyn Aldeen Stearns McCabe, his brother-in-law John Schimmer, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Ed and Ann Roper.

Tom’s earliest memories were in the small town of Baldwinsville, New York before moving with his family to North Syracuse in 5th grade. Tom was an outstanding athlete. He attended North Syracuse High School where he was the quarterback on the football team, point guard on the basketball team, ran the 100 and 200 in track, and played midfield in soccer. He graduated from high school in 1960 and attended Shelton College in New Jersey where he played basketball and soccer. At Shelton he was also editor of the yearbook and President of the Student Senate. He graduated with honors and a degree in English Literature in 1964.

While in graduate school at Syracuse University, Tom worked with the youth at his church and was also the choir director. A little-known fact about Tom is that he was an accomplished pianist. He could play by ear just listening to a tune with no music in front of him.

Tom then went to work at a large ad agency in New York City. For an avid sportsman, one of the best perks of being with a New York ad agency was the press pass that gave him floor access to every athletic event at Madison Square Garden!

Margie and Tom first got to know each other when Margie’s family would visit her cousins in Syracuse. Margie’s dear cousin Ginny Obergfell actually went out with Tom a few times in high school and she and her husband Len would become Margie and Tom’s lifelong friends. Margie and Tom reconnected at Shelton College and started dating when Tom convinced her that the tall, wealthy boy she was seeing was too shallow for her. After college, they were in separate cities for 2 years while Tom was at Syracuse University and Margie was pursuing her master’s degree at Temple University.

Margie and Tom were married on August 13,1966 in Coatesville, PA.

Because of his focused academic interest and early work in direct marketing, Tom was given a tremendous opportunity in his late 20s as a Vice President to help lead the direct mail marketing efforts for National Liberty Insurance, one of the largest direct mail marketers in the US at the time, which was owned and run by a wonderful Christian man named Art DeMoss. Tom always credited Art with seeding his idea to help Christian ministries grow by teaching them how to raise contributions through direct mail the way National Liberty sold insurance policies to consumers. In 1980, with only $2,000, Tom started his first company, the International Marketing Group (IMG) located in McLean, Virginia. His first clients were The Salvation Army and the missionary sending organization The Navigators.

In 1984, the family moved to Dallas, TX when Tom merged his business into what eventually became the KMA Companies. Through KMA, Tom had the privilege of helping ministries and other nonprofit organizations around the world build and foster relationships with hundreds of thousands of donors. Helped by many wonderful colleagues, KMA was on the forefront of many fundraising innovations. But those innovations were just the means for what he called the 'ministry of fundraising'. Building relationships that impacted lives was his true passion, raising the most funds possible while ministering to donors was the goal. This was not just business, but God's calling. Tom and Margie were so invested in the missions of these organizations, and the relationships around them, that they personally supported them with their prayers and finances.

While the move to Dallas was for business reasons, Tom also firmly believed that God used that opportunity so Jeni, Randy, and Matt could attend Trinity Christian Academy (TCA). TCA has played a significant role in his life as a parent, grandparent, sports enthusiast, and Chairman of the Foundation Board.

Tom’s deep love of sports was truly fulfilled by his 8 grandchildren. He was able to cheer on his favorite players in literally hundreds of soccer, baseball, basketball, football, cheer, tennis, and golf games over the last 20 years.

Tom supported and served on the boards of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), the Christian Leadership Alliance, the National Religious Broadcasters, Prison Fellowship International, and the Foundation Board of Trinity Christian Academy. Because of his role at TCA, one of his greatest honors was to present diplomas to his grandchildren at their high school graduations.

Tom also served as an Elder at several churches where Tom and Margie were involved over the years. He was a founding elder at Calvary Fellowship Church (PA), an elder at Reston Presbyterian Church (VA), Trinity Bible Church (TX), and their current church Providence Presbyterian Church (Dallas, TX).

Tom passed away with Margie and his three children by his side.

A memorial service for Tom will be held Friday, August 9, 2024 at 3:00 PM at Providence Presbyterian Church, 10727 Midway Rd, Dallas, TX 75229. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Student Tuition Aid at Trinity Christian Academy, Dallas Theological Seminary, or Providence Presbyterian Church.