Thomas L. Sharpley, Jr.

Tom, or Tommy, as he was known to old friends, was born on June 28, 1958 to Thomas Loxley Sharpley and Joyce Pierpont Sharpley in Savannah, GA. He enjoyed an idyllic childhood, and his character was molded by the time he spent with his immediate family and grandparents around the coastal Savannah area. Growing up, Tom developed a core group of friends who remain close to this day and call themselves “the Mafatuas”. Together, the group created a treasure chest of memories surrounding Tiger Football, boating, camping on the Georgia coast and many colorful gatherings.

Tom attended The Asheville School, in Asheville, NC where he continued to cultivate lifelong friendships. It was there that his professors sparked a fascination with history and an enthusiasm for writing. While in high school, Tom honed his competitive spirit and became a gifted athlete. He excelled on the football field, basketball court, and golf team where he received the Asheville School Golf Award.

Tom furthered his education at Georgia Tech where he played football under Coach Pepper Rogers. A career-ending injury led him to Athens, GA where he received a business degree from the University of Georgia and developed his lifelong passion for Georgia Bulldogs Football. He joined the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity where he forged more enduring friendships.

In the late 1980’s, Tom met the love of his life, Patricia “Tricia” Twohy while working at Adams Cates in Atlanta. The two were engaged and married in little over a year. Tom and Tricia were blessed with two wonderful daughters, Sarah and Liza, whom he cherished beyond measure. Of everything that Tom loved, the love for his family surpassed all else, and they were his biggest pride and joy. As a dedicated father, he spent countless weekends at Tophat soccer games all over the country. Tom was the quintessential southern gentleman who led his family by example, and the qualities of integrity, sincerity and kindness are his legacy to family and friends.

Those who knew Tom will miss a positive personality that could light up any room, a laugh that could be felt by all, and an ability to tell a story that could draw anyone in. His talent as a cook and mixologist were central to fond memories bringing friends and family together. Tom viewed the world through rose-colored glasses and instantly saw the best in everyone he encountered. Family and friends will forever smile reminiscing on memories made in Vero Beach, Sanford Stadium, Lake Rabun, Virginia, the Georgia coast and other special places.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Loxley Sharpley, his mother, Joyce Pierpont Gibson, and his stepfather, Joel Blayney Gibson. Tom is survived by his wife of 36 years, Patricia Twohy Sharpley, their daughters, Sarah Pierpont Sharpley Ewing (Toulmin Hunter Ewing III), and Elizabeth Merrick Sharpley, his sister, Pamela Sharpley Angell, her daughter Frazier Lippitt Angell (Emelie Louise McKain) and his brother, Wallace Pierpont Sharpley, Gibson, Sharpley, and Trosdal cousins, as well as the Twohy and Williams family into which he married but considered his own.

A memorial service honoring Tom’s life will take place on Friday, June 28, 2024 at Saint Anne’s Episcopal Church at 2PM, 3098 St Anne's Lane NW, Atlanta, GA 30327.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to support Dr. Charles Staley’s cancer research efforts through the Winship Surgical Oncology Fund, https://together.emory.edu/sharpley, 1440 Clifton Rd. NE, Suite 170, Atlanta, GA, 30322.