Thomas Herman "Tommy" English

Tommy was born May 31, 1937 in Charlotte, NC. He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Herman Benjamin English. He was a lifelong member of Shamrock Drive Baptist Church, which later became Grace Crossing Baptist Fellowship. Tommy was an active member of the church, serving as a deacon and always making himself available to assist others in their time of need.

Tommy was a 1955 graduate of Central High School. Shortly after graduating high school, he became one of the top duckpin bowling champions in North Carolina. Bowling was an early passion of his which led to meeting his future wife, the beautiful Bobbie Fink. On August 20, 1961, he and Bobbie were married at Allen Street Baptist Church. They were married for 52 years until Bobbie’s passing in 2013. For the past 5 years Tommy and his “Texas Companion” and former elementary classmate, Myra Wallen Boswell of Plano, Texas, have reconnected and enjoyed each other’s company. Tommy made the 16-hour drive to Plano on numerous occasions to spend time with Myra.

Tommy served in the Army National Guard and retired from the Charlotte Fire Department in 1992 after 34 years of service. He often stated he considered himself “one of the luckiest guys alive” to have been able to serve as a member of the CFD. He cherished all the relationships and friendships he developed over the years with his fellow firefighters and former classmates. Tommy never met a stranger and was always ready to share, reshare, and share again his many life experiences and stories.

Tommy’s passion was traveling to model train shows and diecast airplane/military shows up and down the East coast. He also enjoyed attending military air shows with his sons, grandchildren and friends. He was a passionate reader of all things military, especially World War II related. He was a walking library of military knowledge and history.

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, Aunt Ella English, infant son, Thomas Tod English and his loving wife, Bobbie. He is survived by his sons, Richard B. English and wife, Wendy, of Charlotte and Robert (Boo) T. English and wife, Diane, of Weddington, NC, grandchildren, Camille, Ben and Tyler English, Donna Weill, who was like a daughter, and Roxy, his faithful dog.

Friends are cordially invited to attend a funeral service to celebrate Tom’s life December 31, 2020 at 11:00 at McEwen Funeral Service, 7428 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill, NC in the funeral home chapel. The Reverend Jason Blanton will officiate. Interment will follow at Sharon Memorial Park.

The English family would like to extend thanks to the Charlotte Fire Department and all family members and friends for their prayers, cards, emails, visits and food during this difficult time. The family also offers their most sincere appreciation and thanks to the wonderful ICU nurses at Matthews Medical Center and staff and Dr. John Crawford and Lynn Starnes at Crown Point Family Physicians.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Crossing Baptist Fellowship, 5600 Rocky River Road, Charlotte, NC 28215 or to the charity of the donor’s choice.