Thomas "Tom" Brannock
Thomas (Tom) Elmo Brannock, 68, of McGaheysville, Virginia, passed away at Sentara RMH Medical Center on October 19, with his beloved wife and daughter at his side. Born on January 3, 1956 in Carroll County, Virginia, he was the son of the late Elmo and Joyce (Nuckolls) Brannock.
Tom and his family lived around the state during his retail management and sales career, settling in Stuarts Draft for most of the last 30 years. A year ago, Tom and his wife relocated to McGaheysville to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren.
Tom had a deep love for the outdoors, and few places brought him more peace than standing by the water with a fishing rod in hand, patiently waiting for trout to bite. Fishing wasn’t just a hobby for him but a way to connect with nature and reflect on life.
When not by the water, Tom could often be found with a good book in hand or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. A talented cook and grill master, he delighted in preparing meals for family and friends, making sure that everyone who sat at the table left with a full stomach and many laughs.
Tom is survived by his wife of 46 years, Ellen (Baylor) Brannock, his daughter, Heather (Brannock) Ream, son-in-law Matthew, and granddaughters, Lidia and Vayda, all of McGaheysville. He is also survived by his brother, Randy Brannock and wife Irene, and sisters-in-law, Jane Lucas and husband Neil, and Betty Meredith and husband Jack, nieces, Erin Tinaro (Philip) and Kelly Dunnagan (Eric), and cousin Diann Boyd (Ray). Lastly, he is survived by his cherished dog, Max, who brought him immense comfort during his brief battle with cancer.
In addition to his parents, Tom is preceded in death by his special nephew, Scott Felts.
A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, October 24 at Charlton and Groome Funeral Home, 619 Lifecore Drive, Fishersville, VA 22939. The family will visit with family and friends one hour prior at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Augusta Regional SPCA (PO Box 2014, Staunton, VA, 24402), where he has adopted several wonderful dog companions over the years.