Thomas Owen Mann

He played more games of catch than we can remember. He coached our teams - - showed us how to throw a perfect spiral and a mean curve ball. Off the field he coached us in life. He taught us that family is priority, but God is even more important and we should talk to both of them daily. Our dad showed us how to be a good friend and he had a lot of them. He listened, he cared, he loved us to the moon and back. We didn’t want him to go, but God had bigger plans for our dad and took him home on March 1st. He had just celebrated his 54th birthday on February 26.

We’ll carry on his legacy and cherish his memory forever in our hearts. His three sons, Thomas Alexander Mann, Evan Anderson Mann and Phillip Elliot Mann. Our Nana and Poppa whom our dad loved so much, John and Anne Mann. Two sisters he adored, Patricia (Ray) Blanton, and Grayce (Kevin) Somerville. And, the best “little brother ever” John (Tammy) Mann. He was the proud uncle of Amber Basista (his Goddaughter), Brittany Blanton. Ryan Blanton, Chris Blanton, Elliott Mann and Vince Mann. When he arrived in heaven he was greeted by his grandparents, Thomas and Grace Adamo and William and Viola Mann.

Our dad graduated from South Meck High School in 1980 and Appalachian State University in1984. He worked as a Financial Advisor and most recently he was employed by The Charlotte Hornets. To honor his father who suffers from kidney disease, our dad served as the past President of the National Kidney Foundation of North Carolina.

Dad loved his lifelong friends, we call them our “uncles” - - Mike Waite, Bob Beard, Mike Marston, Tim Griner, David Baker, and Jay Johnson. He was a chicken wing connoisseur and worked off the calories at the Harris Y. He loved good movies, R&B tunes, a spirited conversation about politics, Notre Dame and Appalachian State Football.

We will gather to celebrate our dad on Saturday, March 5, 1:15pm at St. Vincent de Paul Church on Park Road.

We know we’ll see him again.

John 11:25-26

Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.

In lieu of flowers please honor our father’s memory by making a donation in his name to Park Sharon Athletic Association or National Kidney Foundation or North Carolina.