Thomas G Shumaker

July 14, 1954 - November 23, 2020

Thomas Gene Shumaker, 66, of Charlotte, MI, a laidback, quiet, always happy man with a very giving heart, died November 23, 2020. He was born July 14, 1954 in Charlotte, to Donald Ralph and Patricia Louise (DeForest) Shumaker. Thomas was a 1972 graduate of Charlotte High School. Following high school, he served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Thomas was a steel worker helping to erect buildings in Florida and the Cayman Islands. He was very proud of his skill "walking the beams" and welding high in the air. Being a single parent for a number of years, he was also very proud to have raised his children by himself. He always taught them in the best way he could to be good citizens. Thomas was a very kind man to all, he was always helping others out. For many years he drove Veterans to the VA Hospital in Ann Arbor and he also did volunteer work for the Eaton County Parks Department. He made many friends during these volunteer activities. In his leisure time Thomas enjoyed fishing, especially at the Quarterline Bridge near Mason, and other local rivers. He enjoyed fishing for the sport, releasing most of the fish he caught so others could enjoy the sport. Another interest he enjoyed was steam engines, he regularly attended the Steam Engine Shows every year in Mason. Thomas is survived by his wife, Paula; son, Brian Shumaker; daughter, Brianna (Brandon) Forist; sister, Norma (Kevin) McLeod; and his brother, Monte Shumaker; step daughters Alisha (Bill) Vallance, Jesica Wicker; step grandson Jonathon ( Emily) Wicker and step great-grandson Landon John Wicker. The family will be conducting a memorial service at a later date following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. Friends are encouraged to support Thomas's family by sharing memories of Thomas on his Tribute Page at www.PrayFuneral.com . The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.