Thomas D. Sheffield

Thomas Dale Sheffield, 73, of Twinsburg, Ohio, passed away Saturday, September 16, 2023. Born August 29, 1950, in Seymour Indiana, to the late James Ruppert Sheffield and Lillian (Jolly) Sheffield, he was the middle brother of the late Vickie (Sheffield) Byrd and Dwight David Sheffield. Tom was particularly close with his grandparents, Thelma and Roland Jolly, who had a great influence on his life.

Tom graduated from Crothersville High School in Crothersville, Indiana, in 1968. He was very good with numbers and an exceptional athlete, setting several high school records in track and field. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp, serving in the elite Reconnaissance Special Forces Unit. He served two active-duty tours in the Vietnam War. By his sound judgement and timely actions during an event in his second tour, Tom single handedly saved the lives of all of the fellow marines in his unit when they were confronted deep in enemy territory. Tom received many military honors for his service and heroic missions, including, The Navy Marine Force Commendation Medal for Heroic Action and Meritorious Service, the USMC/Recon Airborne Medal, the National Defense Award for Service, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Award.

Tom had a successful 33-year career with CSX Railroad Transportation. He was dedicated to his work and known for being kind and respectful to his co-workers and business partners. He was always the biggest advocate and supporter of those who worked for him. Tom was a man who would give the shirt of his back to help others, and sometimes did. He embodied a self-sacrificial work ethic so his family could always have more than he did and did so willingly.

Tom was a loving, caring husband to his wife of 20 years, Christine, whom he deeply loved and respected, and was extremely proud of his four daughters. He enjoyed being with family, loved classic cars, Corvettes, Ohio State University Football and Basketball, Duke University basketball, and of course his hometown basketball team, the Hoosiers. A great day for Tom was enjoying an iced cold Miller Light while watching a game or visiting with family.

Tom will be deeply missed by his wife, Christine (Mack) Sheffield, and his four daughters, Monica (Mathew) Sellars, Dinese (Benjamin) Young, Farrah (Jeffrey) Chrstos, Priscilla (Logan) Hass. Tom has 7 grandchildren, Natalie (Joe) Bentley, Jacob Sellars, Sophia Young, Eloise Young, William Young, Harriet Chrstos, and Millicent Chrstos, as well as 3 great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Cash, and Ridge.

Memorial Services will be held at Newcomer Funeral Home, Akron, Ohio, on October 2, 2023, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM. A military honors burial will be held following services at Western Reserve National Cemetery, Seville, Ohio.

Memorial donations may be given in memory of Thomas D. Sheffield to the Disabled Veterans Association (www.dav.org/memorialgift) or Cleveland Clinic Hospice.

To share a memory of Thomas or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.