Joseph Thomas Cain, JR.

Joseph Thomas Cain, Jr., 85, of Greenville, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2020. Tommy was born in Montgomery, Alabama on April 3, 1935. His parents were the late Ruby Louise Floyd Cain and the late Joseph Thomas Cain, Sr.

Tommy graduated from Phillips High School, class of 1953. Tommy earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the University of Alabama in 1957 where he was a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, Beta Gamma Sigma honorary fraternity and Alpha Kappa Psi business administration fraternity. Tommy served in the U.S. Naval Reserve, 1960-66, and as active duty in the U.S. Navy until 1962. Tommy then took over the family business his father founded in 1946 and served as President and Owner of Cain Awning Company until 2003. His advertising slogan was “There’s a man in Birmingham who makes wonderful things out of canvas … Aluminum and Canvas Awnings and Patio Covers, Tarpaulins – Boat Tops – Covers – Canvas Specialties – Industrial Fabric Products”.

Tommy and Jackie moved to Greenville in 2005 where he consistently drove carpool and attended sports practices with his grandchildren there. He was a charter and lifelong member of Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church in Birmingham and most recently a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greenville. Tommy was an avid gardener, an adventurous fisherman, a passionate Alabama Crimson Tide football fan and a loving father and grandfather.

Tommy was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Jacqueline “Jackie” Smith Cain, and his sister Judy Pennington of Birmingham. Tommy is survived by his son, Joseph Thomas Cain III (Ada) of Greenville, South Carolina, his daughter Christianna Cain Cassady (Frank) of Gainesville, Florida, his sister Deidre (Michael) Dodd of Fairhope, Alabama, six grandchildren Catherine Cain of Houston, Texas, Thomas Cain (Kate) of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Mary Margaret Cain of Greenville, South Carolina, Steven Cain of Clemson, South Carolina, Victoria Cassady of Los Angeles, California, and Caroline Cassady of Orlando, Florida.

Memorials honoring Mr. Cain may be made to the Crimson Tide Foundation, Box 870343, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, or Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church, 2061 Kentucky Ave, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. Due to Covid-19, graveside services will be private for the family.