Thomas Austin House

Thomas Austin House (Tom), 85, of Hendersonville, NC passed peacefully on Friday, September 3, 2021.

Tom was born on November 8, 1935 in Buncombe County to the late Edward House and Kathleen Sherlin House.  He was a graduate of Mills River High School with the class of 1954.  Tom retired from Ecusta after 43 years where he spent most of his career in the carpenter shop. On January 23, 1984, Tom was presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor James B Hunt Jr for constructing a model school bus to demonstrate school bus safety for elementary students all over the state of North Carolina. He was a very talented craftsman; there really wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix or build.  He could replicate any project you wanted from a simple picture or drawing. Tom was an avid fisherman and hunter.  He enjoyed the outdoors, boating, fishing and hunting trips.  For over 25 years, he and his wife Jean spent their free time at their residence on Lake Keowee where Tom taught many young people to fish and water ski.  After retirement, Tom and Jean spent 22 years every winter in Fort Myers Florida.  They loved being snow birds!  They had a wonderful group of friends whom they considered family, they called themselves, “The Florida Group”. Tom made friends everywhere he went and never met a stranger.  He told his family, “You can never have too many friends”. Tom adored his family asking daily how everyone was.

Tom is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jean Wilson House; his daughter Debbie House Short and husband Lyn Short; granddaughter Krystle Short Jones and husband Jamie Jones; great-grandchildren, Adalyn Morgan Jones, and Bryce Jameson Jones.  He is also survived by his siblings; Roger House, Nancy House Thomas, and Judy House Neighbors.

Tom was preceded in death by his brothers Edward, Lawrence, Ben, and Henry House and his sisters Sarah House Jones, Peggy House Williams, and Eleanor House.

The family will hold a graveside service at Shepherd Memorial Park, Hendersonville NC on Thursday, September 9, 2021, at 11:00 AM.

Tom’s family request in lieu of flowers, if you prefer, donations may be made to the Mountain Home Fire and Rescue (3710 Asheville Highway, Hendersonville NC 28791) who so graciously assisted Tom in his final days.