Everything had its specific place and was labeled in case you forgot where you got it  
He was a collector of so many things.  License plates, coins, stamps, prints, clocks and much, much more.  
Dad loved his family like no other    He always wanted to know what his grand kids were up to and looked forward to every visit   He loved to go on our family vacations   He would tell me he always enjoyed the chaos, but was happy to get home    Dad knew so many of the grandkids friends   They all knew him as gramps and loved him dearly   
I called dad daily, missing a few days along the way and will treasure our calls forever. 
I hope by sharing you can see that my dad was the absolute BEST!!!!!  I am so grateful that my amazing brother, David devoted 3 months to take care of dad to keep him out of a nursing home.   So blessed that David did this!!!!  You, my dear brother, are a saint!!!!!

Dad, dad, dad…I sure am going to miss you!!!  I wish I could have spoken at your celebration of life, but I inherited from you the horror of public speaking.  Plus I would have been a blubbering fool!!
Tom Stooksbury was without a doubt the most laid back man I have ever known.  However, that did not make him weak, just a pure gentleman!!!  I saw him mad twice in my teen years.  One was at a Tennessee/Auburn football game at Auburn.  We were leaving the parking lot all loaded into our station wagon when someone kept tapping into dad’s car.  He got out of the car and let that Auburn fan have it.  Oh, in case you are wondering, UT lost.   The second time is when he wanted me to ask off work to go out to eat to celebrate their 25th anniversary.   I told him I could not get off.   He was so upset with me.   Turned out I was throwing them a surprise 25th anniversary party while they were eating.   Poor dad felt so bad!!!   
He did in my younger years have to break several yard sticks on my bottom due to my stubbornness.  I know no body can imagine this!
My dad was always thinking of others over himself.   He was such a Godly man.  He did not witness by speaking, he witnessed by action.   He was at church ever time the doors were opened    He delivered for FISH for many years with mom and after her passing he continued to deliver with Melissa Cate and Macy Mitchell   He loved friends and family.   During our high school days, he would load up one of our amazing station wagons full of David and my friends and head to a ball game.  Making the best memories along the way.   Our home was always open and full of kids   His philosophy was “the more the merrier”.    He took us on yearly vacations.  Normally to the beach and on several occasions with a station wagon full of friends.   To say I had a great childhood is an understatement!!!  
Dad was the most organized person I had ever known.  I am sure my home gave him anxiety.  I inherited zero of his organizational skills.

said goodbye to my littlest love on valentine’s day to rush to knoxville to say goodbye to my best guy - except i didn’t make it in time. 💔 i always thought my gramps would live forever. 

my gramps. 
MAN OF GOD.
family guy. 
vol for life.

valentine’s day will be a hard holiday for the rest of my life, but i know it was a perfect story of LOVE for my precious gramps - meeting Jesus and hearing “well done, my good + faithful servant” + reuniting with the love of his life, my grams. 

every fall for as long as i can remember (he had season tickets for 50+ years, so i assume he was doing this far before i was even born), he’d be in neyland saturday and at church (even serving in the church) on sunday morning. he sowed seeds in every thing he did + i know he’s reaping the rewards of heaven. he was my favorite ball game buddy - even when i was embarrassing him by yelling - he stood beside me + went along with all my shenanigans, a proud grandfather. i’ll cherish our late night stories after games (or any time i came to visit), making sure he drank his water during the hot september games, waking up to the “big orange countdown” on saturday mornings + sitting at his house after he couldn’t go anymore - watching a game. gramps loved Jesus + he loved the vols. 

if you knew gramps, you loved him because he welcomed you + made you feel like his own. he’d open his home to anyone (and trust me, i brought some questionable people around 🤣) + was dedicated in serving those less fortunate. gramps loved his people + strangers so fiercely.

his sense of humor was second to none. he kept us laughing with his quick wit, but discrete delivery. gramps always had the most clever comebacks. he was sharp as a tact + kept even us young ones honest.

i looked up to gramps so much when looking for a life partner. he’s the best man i’ve ever known. a spiritual leader, loyal, dependable, +  honest. he was all the good things of this world. i loved watching him with katherine, grace, + grant. he poured into them every chance he got - always giving his full attention + love. selfishly, i will forever wish elizabeth could have met gramps, but i’ll make sure she knows of him + pray she finds someone just like him. 

while grief and heartbreak consume us like waves in the ocean, i’m thanking God for leading gramps home and taking away his pain. we trust Jesus will calm the seas and joy will come again. 

i encourage you all to be like gramps today, tomorrow, forever. pray without ceasing, lend a helping hand, tell your people you love them - just as he always did. 

i’ll never see the circle drill by the pride of the southland marching band, eat a yellow cake with caramel frosting, or watch family fued + not think of him.

i’ll miss you forever, but love you always. give grams a hug for me. 🖤

What a blessing it has been to have known Tom Stooksbury. He was such a good and kind man. He loved life, family, church, friends, and any and everything about UT sports. And Candace Parker! He always made us feel at home. He was a true gentleman, but always enjoyed a good joke! We will miss him greatly, but we are so thrilled that he is reunited with Katherine and many of his friends and family in heaven. Much love and prayers to Amy, David, and all of Tom/Gramps family members.

Dear loving family of Gramps,

I will always hold fond memories of "Gramps," as I even called him back when Macy and I were in college. 
Some of my most cherished memorable moments of that time in my life include making elaborate dinners at his home with Macy for he and his friends/neighbors—even my failed frozen raspberry lemonade pie and sitting on his kitchen floor with Macy and her bridesmaids making the wedding bouquets. 
I am deeply grateful to have known him  even a little bit and to have been welcomed into his warm, collector’s home. 
His kindness and generosity not only made me feel at home but also strengthened my bond with his whole family. He will be dearly missed. And for Gramps...Go Vols.

Much love and prayers,
Sarah Vance Jenkins

Amy and David,

I am so sorry to hear of your sweet dad's passing.  He was such a kind and gentle man of Christ.  He and your mother always showed such love and graciousness to Paul and I both.  Our hearts are filled with sorrow in his passing but know he is rejoicing in heaven~

Ms, Mccurdy, I didn't know that Mr. Stooksberry was your brother, but it makes sense!! You are in my thoughts and prayers during this time of grief and loss!
Sincerely, 
John Garrison!

David and Amy,
     We are so sorry to hear about the passing of my old military buddy of 61 years.  Our prayers and thoughts are with you all and the family!  May God give you His peace and comfort!!!
Love, 
Jim and Diane Richmond
Johnson City, TN

My deepest sympathy to the entire family. Certainly blessed to always feel like family and for his faithful friendship.  He will be tremendously missed as he’s truly one of a kind.  Cherish the memories.  I know you’ll carry him in you as I have always seen it.  He’s no doubt in sweet Heavenly peace with his beautiful bride! Love to all who knew this gentle soul-

OBITUARY

Hugh "Gramps" Thomas Stooksbury

November 30, 1937 – February 14, 2025

Berry Highland Memorial

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