Thomas, known as Tom to his family and friends was born on February 22, 1972, in Wroclaw, Poland to Teresa Dojnowicz and Lech Chmura. Lech and Teresa moved to the United States with Tom and his sister Eva in 1982 where they established a home in Columbia, South Carolina.
Tom attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School and later graduated from Cardinal Newman High School where he made lifelong friendships with students and staff. Tom was an incredible athlete. He played soccer and basketball for Cardinal Newman setting multiple school records. Tom attended Queens College on a soccer scholarship and eventually transferred to the University of South Carolina and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.
Tom pursued a career in the Environmental industry where he worked for Athena Technologies Inc., South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, and for the last 19 years he worked for Groundwater and Environmental Services (GES) where he once again made lifelong friendships.
Tom met his wife Leigh Ann at the University of South Carolina, and they married in 1998. Tom was a huge Gamecock fan and loved attending Carolina sporting events. He could be heard across Williams Brice Stadium cheering on his Gamecocks every Saturday in the early years of their marriage. His love for sports led him to coach the Dreher Varsity Girls Soccer team, and the Cardinal Newman Varsity Boys as well as multiple club soccer teams, but his favorite time was spent coaching Ellie and Gabby.
Tom was the happiest spending time with his family and friends. His love for his wife Leigh Ann and daughters Ellie and Gabby was immeasurable. He loved his parents dearly, and he had a special bond with his sister Eva. Tom was always the life of the party at family events and could usually be found leading a dance party. He loved traveling with his family and most of all making memories. Tom was always up for an adventure and his favorite place was sitting on the side of a soccer field cheering on his girls.
Tom never met a stranger, and will be remembered for his kind heart, outgoing personality, loyal friendships, and love for his family.
Tom is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Leigh Ann Myers Chmura; daughters, Elizabeth Ashley (Ellie) and Gabrielle Grace (Gabby); parents, Lech and Teresa Chmura; sister, Eva Chmura Johnson and her husband, Robert; his in-laws, Mike and Lynn Myers; sister-in laws, Lindsay Myers Head (Sammy), Katie Myers Dew (John); eight nieces and nephews, Alexa Johnson, Nick Johnson, Hollis Head, Banks Head, Elliott Head, Riley Dew, Ava Dew, and Jack Dew; as well as a huge loving family in Poland and Vancouver, Canada.
He was predeceased in death by his grandparents: Wiktoria Struzik Dojnowicz, Wladyslaw Dojnowicz, Danuta Barabach Chmura, and Karol Chmura.
A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 3512 Devine Street, Columbia, SC. A reception will immediately follow at the St. Joseph’s Administration Building. A livestream of the mass will be available at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Columbia, SC - YouTube
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Ian Roof Scholarship Fund at Cardinal Newman. The family is also establishing a fund for the Chmura girls. Remembering Ian Roof (https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/adaptive-donor-form/?formId=f34d1c4e-ba8f-4151-90ec-c5ddc7e06bee&envid=p--MxXhCxCW0uT9S7n8Kx__g&zone=usa)
The family would like to thank all the staff at Duke University Hospital for the exceptional care they gave to Tom. The transplant team and our family on 6West will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
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