Shockley, Thomas E.

Thomas E. Shockley, 68, died surrounded by his family at his home in Unionville, Conn., on November 29, 2010. Tommy, the only son of Ethel (Ogle) and Lloyd Hyatt Shockley, was born on January 9, 1942, in his parents’ shop in the Shorts Creek community of Carroll County. He was raised and lived in Hillsville, and later moved to Blacksburg where he managed the Wilco Service Station on South Main Street. In the last several years, Tommy lived in Baltimore, Md., and Connecticut. Tommy is survived by his sister, Virginia and her husband, Stanley Perdue, of Salem; his son and daughter-in-law, Tony and Jennifer Shockley, of Unionville, Conn.; and his daughter, Teri Gibas, of Pulaski, Va. In addition, he leaves seven beloved grandsons, with whom he cherished his time, Noah, Zachary and Elijah Shockley, and William Gerkin, Taylor Dyer, Daniel and David Gibas. He also leaves behind his best friend, “Bob” the cat. Although he relocated north to be closer to family, Tommy was always a Southern gentleman at heart. He was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys and Dale Earnhardt Sr. He easily charmed new neighbors and made fast friends with his incredibly sharp, dry humor. He was a man who told it like it is.