Thomas D. De Shazo, Jr. was born on September 26, 1958, in Birmingham, Alabama. He died from serious illness on March 13, 2024, at the age of 65 while a patient in the University of Alabama Hospital Palliative Care Unit.
Tommy attended Shades Valley High School. He was a Life Scout, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader of his Scout Troop, and served on staff at Camp Sequoyah, Talladega, Alabama as a merit badge counselor.
He worked as a heavy equipment mechanic and automotive mechanic, graduated from the Ohio Diesel Mechanics & Technology School, and held multiple ASE specialty certifications for diesel and gasoline engines. “Tomasino”, as his mother affectionately called him, was most definitely “smarter than the average bear” about all things mechanical.
Tommy loved motorcycles, riding with friends and enjoyed customizing and restoring bikes, especially Harley-Davidsons. He was a member of the Christian Motorcycle Club and wore the Mechanic Rocker. He was a Member of the National Rifle Association, was a skilled self-educated gunsmith, and especially enjoyed repairing and restoring firearms. He beautifully restored and gave an antique shotgun to his brother for Christmas.
Tommy was the automotive shop foreman and dormitory manager at The Foundry in Bessemer, Alabama and was a resident counselor at Shiloh Ministries in Liberty, Texas. He loved his role as a mentor and followed the lives of “his boys” for many years. It was at Shiloh that Tommy experienced deep and lasting friendships with the pastoral staff and learned to honor God daily. He was truly a child of God and was especially moved by worship music. Among his favorite songs was the Mike Purkey version of “Sweet Beulah Land.”
He is survived by his parents, Thomas Drew and Bettie Key De Shazo, sister B. Lynn De Shazo, brother Jeffrey A. De Shazo, nephew, Samuel J. De Shazo (Brittany Callahan), and grandnephew, Isaiah T. De Shazo.
The family would like to thank the Staff of the University of Alabama Hospital Palliative Care Unit for the excellent care and support so compassionately provided to Tommy and the family during his last few days.
A visitation for Tommy will be held Tuesday, March 19, 2024 from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Altadena Valley Presbyterian Church, 4660 Caldwell Mill Rd, Birmingham, AL 35243. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 2:00 PM, 4660 Caldwell Mill Rd, Birmingham, AL 35243. A committal service will occur Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 3:15 PM at Elmwood Cemetery & Mausoleum, 600 Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Birmingham, AL 35211.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to Tommy's favorite charity, Shiloh Ministries in Texas. Please click the link below to make a donation.
Tommy will be laid to rest in Elmwood Cemetery & Mausoleum, 600 Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Birmingham, AL 35211-2835.
