Dr. Marcus Lee Thomas ("Tom") Moss of Shelby, NC passed away on November 3^rd, 2018 at the age of 94 in Cherryville, NC. He was born in Cherryville on March 10, 1924 to Pearl Houser and Ezra Vernon Moss. He graduated from Cherryville High School in 1941 before attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. On December 7^th of that year, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Fearing a similar bombing on the US West Coast, on January 1^st, 1942 the Rose Bowl football game was moved from Pasadena, California to Duke University where Tom and other area university band members were recruited to play their instruments at the only Rose Bowl held outside of Carolina. Shortly thereafter, Tom enlisted in the Navy interrupting his education. Following his Naval service, Tom returned to Chapel Hill to complete his undergraduate degree and to pursue a master's degree in public health. From there, Tom pursued work in bacteriology research for the federal government in Fredericksburg, Maryland, and later, for the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. In 1950, Tom returned to school in Memphis, Tennessee where he pursued his doctor of optometry degree at the Southern College of Optometry. It was in Memphis where he met the love of his life, Mary Louise Macklin, who he married in 1952. In 1954, after graduating, Tom and Mary Louise moved to Shelby where he opened his optometric practice. In 1994, after 40 years of being in private practice, Tom merged his practice with the doctors of Morganton Eye Physicians, P.A. with whom he enjoyed practicing until his retirement in 2007.

During his time in Shelby, Tom assumed numerous leadership roles. He served as a Boy Scout Cubmaster, Trustee (1973-74) and President (1977-78) for the NC State Optometric Society, board member of the Cleveland County Board of Health (1984-92), and as President of the local Kiwanis Club. Tom balanced these duties with parenthood as he was an ardent supporter of his son's interest in competitive swimming, scouting, and cross country and was always a willing groom for his daughter's ponies and horses. In addition, Tom was an avid golfer and gardner. He loved the fellowship he shared with his friends through golfing.

Tom is survived by his daughter, Dr. Carol Bridges, and husband, Julian "Jay" Kent Bridges, Jr. of Shelby; one daughter-in-law, Jude Moss; sister-in-law, Nancy Moss of Cherryville; and grandchildren, Andrea Moss Autry, Jakki Moss, Chaya Shapiro (and husband Jonathan Garrett), Julian Kent Bridges, III; Alston Lee Bridges, and Carolina Graceliene Bridges; and great-granddaughter Tallis Rain Carlson.

In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Louise Macklin Moss, his son, Dr. Thomas Macklin Moss, and his brothers Aaron B. Moss and E.V. Moss, Jr.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00p.m. on Saturday, November 10^th, 2018 in the sanctuary at Shelby Presbyterian Church with a reception following in Ellis Hall. The Rev. Luke Harkey will be officiating.

Cecil M Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Dr. Moss.


Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com