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Obituary for Mr. Thomas Irvin “T.I.” Honeycutt Jr.
“Mr. Thomas Irvin “T.I” Honeycutt, Jr., 59, of Salisbury, won his long, courageous battle with cancer and went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, July 4, 2015. He passed away at home surrounded by his loving family with the support of Rowan Hospice and Palliative Care.
Born in Salisbury on October 7, 1955, he was the son of the late Thomas I. Honeycutt, Sr. & Gertha P. Honeycutt. T.I. graduated from South Rowan High School, Class of 1973. After high school he attended Wingate College before receiving his degree in Criminal Justice at UNC-Charlotte. He later returned to UNC-Charlotte for a degree in Secondary Education with a focus in History.
T.I. began his career working for the City of Salisbury as a Police Officer. He later worked for the State of N.C. as a Probation Parole Officer. In the mid-1990’s T.I. decided instead of dealing with criminals he wanted to work with young people to serve as a positive role model in their lives. He began his second career at Salisbury High School as a History Teacher where “Mr. Honeycutt” enjoyed working with his students until his illness forced him from the classroom.
T.I. married the love of his life, Wanda Kay Brown Honeycutt, on October 20, 1979. They were happily married for 35 years and shared many wonderful memories together. She was by his side throughout his illness playing the role of both wife and nurse. She is left to cherish his memory along with his proudest accomplishments, his four children Chris Honeycutt (Rhea) of Gibsonville, Lauren Vaughan (Robert) of Peoria, IL, Brenden Honeycutt of Salisbury, and Wesley Honeycutt of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. “Poppy’s” pride and joy was his granddaughter, Henley Spencer Vaughan who also survives him along with his brother James Honeycutt (Tami) of Salisbury, very special sister-in-law Dawn Sellers (Wayne), of Kannapolis, brother-in-law Alvin Brown (Anne) of Sierra Vista, AZ, brother-in-law Johnnie Brown (Amy) of Salisbury, father-in-law Pete Brown of Salisbury, and many nieces and nephews. His crazy fur child Beans and grand-dogs Tucker, Frank, and Neo also carry on his memory.
T.I. had a wide range of interests. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Salisbury and the Emanuel Sunday School class. He enjoyed sports, whether running down a field on Friday night officiating high school football, coaching his sons in little league baseball, coaching various sports at Salisbury High School, or later attending Atlanta Braves baseball and N.C. State football games with his “boys.” He loved history and reading about it. He was particularly interested in Civil War history and enjoyed talking to others about this passion. He enjoyed traveling especially when he could do so with his entire family. He loved going to the beach and taking cruises. He also enjoyed spending time at the family’s “Lake Shack” on High Rock Lake. This was a place of relaxation and serenity, a place to get away from the daily struggles of his illness. He sure has upgraded from a shack on the lake to a mansion with streets of gold in Heaven. We look forward to seeing him again!
A heartfelt thank you to all of our family and friends for their love, support, visits, phone calls, and prayers! A very special thank you to Dr. William Black for his care and friendship during this long battle.
In the words of T.I.’s favorite general, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, “Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees.”
A service celebrating T.I.’s life will be held at 4p.m. on Tuesday, July 7 at First Baptist Church of Salisbury with the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Lance officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.
Memorials can be made to First Baptist Church of Salisbury, 223 N. Fulton St., Salisbury, NC 28144 and Rowan Hospice & Palliative Care, 720 Grove Street, Salisbury, NC 28144
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