aupops2, Friend and Great Auburn Man...

[Dixie1860 27]

...has gone on to better things. We will miss you buddy!!

Thomas “Tom” Donald Shuford completed his earthly journey and went to be with the Lord Jan. 29, 2014, following a courageous battle with cancer that took its toll on his health.

He was born and raised in Brevard. His parents, Frances and Clyde Shuford, preceded him in death as did his brother, Ron, of New Tazewell, Tenn.

He is survived by his wife of 11 years, Judy Carter Shuford, of Portland, Tenn .; brother, Bill (Lisa), of Etowah; sons, Brad (Laura) Shuford, of Knoxville, Tenn ., Nicholas (Karen) Shuford, of Chattanooga, Tenn ., and Patrick Shuford, of Franklin, Tenn .; five grandchildren and 16 step-children/grandchildren.

He graduated from Brevard High School in 1961. He was the starting guard on Brevard’s North Carolina State Champion-ship Football Team. He was very active in the Monogram Club, 4-H Club, Key Club, high school annual staff, and a most avid Blue Devil.

He attended Auburn University, graduating in 1965 with a degree in chemical engineering. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity and was very involved in all aspects of college life. He was so excited with Auburn’s amazing football season this year and their climb to reach the BCS Championship Game.

He began his professional career in the computer software business and later in the brick, ceramic tile and marble industry, serving on numerous industry affiliated state and national committees and as president of the Ceramic Tile Distributors Association. He moved his family to Franklin, Tenn. in 1992.

One of his lasting joys was the birth of his fifth grandchild, Sam Shuford, in November 2013. His beaming smile would light up the entire room as he held baby Sam Shuford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Thomas Donald Shuford’s memory to The American Cancer Society.

A private celebration of life will be held soon to scatter his remains in the mountains of his beloved home in Brevard.

[CameronCrazy 1,085]

So sad to hear this. We're going to miss you pops!

[Timeslider 6 269]

prayers to the family, his contribution to the forum will be greatly missed. Didn't know him but just going by his posts he was a class act.

[Charleston Tiger 134]

Wow - Call em with Fyffe now Pops!

[bwillaub 0]

WOW! Really brings things back to perspective! We will miss you, pops. I always enjoyed and respected your insight. WAR EAGLE, my brother, WAR EAGLE!

Thanks for letting us now, Dixie.

[Auctoritas 2,828]

Wow...thoughts for the family. I hope up in heaven there's a big orange-and-blue sofa that all the AU Family sits on to watch on Saturdays (and given last season, I'm pretty sure there is).

War Eagle, sir, and safe passages.

[AUIH1 1,515]

Very sad. Prayers sent to his family.

[WarEagle10 77]

Prayers go out for his family. pops will be missed. Great Auburn man. It's a very sad day for me.

War Eagle, pops!!!!!!!!!

[telling tiger 156]

How sad. Fine man. Just heartbreaking. Peace to his family and all who love him still.

[mustache eagle 2,415]

Whoa. It is so easy to forget that the crazy AUF names on the other of the keyboard are connected to real people, with real lives, real stories and with real families who love them.

God bless you Tom, your family and your friends!

'Stache

[ToraGirl 5,498]

AWWW...no! I LOVE HIM! And I've never met him! His posts have brought me great joy, and I can't wait to meet him one day...on the other side...prayers and blessings for his family! Isaiah 40:31....his faith expressed so beautifully, it is easy to imagine that he knows exactly what eagles wings feel like at last! What a GREAT warrior...and Auburn Man, indeed.

[grt2bnautgr 0]

War Eagle pops! You will be greatly missed here. I looked at his profile, and today is the fourth anniversary of him joining this site.

[Auctoritas 2,828]

Would anyone be averse to someone setting up a paypal or some such under the AUF name, and then making the requested American Cancer Society donation in all of our names? Seems like the least we could do.

[imaolgatiger 523]

God speed Pops....I enjoyed your post. WAR EAGLE!

[Britt in GA 53]

War Eagle Pops!! May your family find the strength it needs. You'll be missed.

[Dixie1860 27]

I just want to share a couple quick things about Pops. He reached out to me on a day where he could tell by my post that I was having a rough day. He cheered me up with a PM that I don't even remember what it said, just that he sent it was enough. He also wasn't afraid to tell me if I stepped over the line, which I hate to say he had to do more than once. He loved Auburn and he loved AUF.

[alexava 6,973]

doesnt seem too long ago he was posting here. couldnt tell by his profile. my thoughts are with his family.

[Tigerswde! 0]

So sad to hear this news. I've read and enjoyed his posts for so long. Peace and comfort to his family.

[Proud Tiger 4,261]

It's always sad to lose an Auburn brother and he was taken so young. My prayers for all his family.

[EagleDamnWar 0]

Wow shocked. Great contributor to AUF and will miss him. Prayers to his family.

[Weegle777 78]

So sad to hear this. We will miss you pops.

[berrytgr 0]

Rest in peace Pops. You will be missed.

[cole256 17,084]

Didn't know him but I'm sorry to hear. Love and respect to him and his family

[AU64 10,122]

Sorry to hear this....did not seem like that long ago he was on line...had no idea this was happening in his life. WE pops

[4AUsince62 10]

Will miss you pops, our loss is your gain.