Tomie Jay England, 76, of Franklin passed away Saturday August 12th at his beloved home in the Rainbow Springs community. Born October 30th , 1946 he was the son of the late Iris Blankenship England and Hubert England.
Born and raised on Indian Creek Rd, he was a graduate of Cane River High School class of 1965. After high school, he enlisted in the United State Marie Corps. After training in Parris Island, he left for Vietnam where he served his country for a 13 month tour of duty with the Third Marine Division 1 st Battalion 3rd Marines/Charlie Company. Tomie received an honorable discharge as a sergeant in 1972 and returned home where he began his career with the NC Wildlife Commission. He faithfully served several of the counties in Western North Carolina where he was able to showcase his knowledge of the mountains, trees, creeks, and game.
Tom’s life centered around his favorite things. He took many trips out west to lead hunting expeditions and many hunting trips with friends. He loved frying fish, bee keeping, raising a garden, horses, and bird dogs. Much of his time was spent between Franklin and Burnsville where he helped care for his parents in their later years. As much as he loved Macon County, his heart was always in his homeplace on Indian Creek. His greatest pride was his four grandchildren whom he loved deeply.
He was preceded in death by a brother, David G. England, and a sister Nancy England Sparks. He is survived by a brother, John Joseph England (Susan) of Reems Creek, and two sisters Annette Main of Collierville TN, and Cynthia Reeves (Jim) of Swannanoa.
Cherishing his memory are his two children: a son, Jon David England and wife Heather of Burnsville, a daughter, Gretchen Banks and husband Donald of Burnsville; four grandchildren: Hunter, Hensley, Bailey, and Locklyn all of Burnsville. Nieces: Stephanie, Emily, and Ashleigh and a nephew, David. Also his lifelong Marine brother, Bob Janicki and special life partner, Barbara Culpepper and many other lifelong friends in the Macon County area.
Donations to honor Tom’s memory can be made to Tunnel to Towers or Wounded Warrior Project.
Funeral services are being handled by Bryant-Grant Funeral Home in Franklin and Yancey Funeral Services of Burnsville.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, August 18th in the chapel of Yancey Funeral Services. Reverends Stacy Elkins and Royce Ball will officiate with military honors following in the Blankenship Family Cemetery on Indian Creek conducted by the Sgt. E. L. Randolph, Chapter #57 D.A.V. The family will receive friends from 1 until 3 p.m. prior to the services at the funeral home. To send online condolences, please visit our website at www.yanceyfuneralservice.com.
