Thomas William McGuffin, 75, of Havelock, passed away on Sunday, June 2, 2024. Tom was born May 16, 1949, on Miramar Naval Station, CA to the late Ray and Vivian McGuffin. He grew up as an only child in Orange County, CA.
After a rocky finish to high school, Tom joined the Marines in 1968. He served in the Vietnam War for 12-18 months. After Vietnam, Tom became certified for search and rescue and was an avid scuba diver and skydiver. He was a parachute rigger before attending Air Traffic Control School, where he advanced to the rank of Gunnery Sargent before he retired in January 1991. Tom went on to work for CarolinaEast Medical Center in the Emergency Room registration department until 2009 when he retired. Always a compassionate and giving man, Tom was also a certified paramedic where he would volunteer for his local fire and rescue department for over 10 years.
In July 1981, Tom set aside his fondness for Tupperware parties to begin an exclusive relationship with Rowena Wilson, whom he married in October 1982. Rowena stood by his side for 41 years, even until the very end.
Leaving behind to honor his memory and legacy are his wife; Rowena McGuffin; daughters, Tina and her husband, Jeremy, Cynthia and her husband, Michael, and Stacy and her husband, Jeremy; grandchildren, Gavin, Joshua, Lillian, Damien, Zachary, and Clara; great-grandson, Connor; and many loving family members and close friends.
With all of the stubbornness and pride inherent to any US Marine, Tom fought to the end and never surrendered until he had nothing left to give.
Cotten Funeral Home is honored to serve the family and friends of Thomas William McGuffin.
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