Thomas Jock Schwab

Thomas Jock Schwab, son of the late Ruth Ann (Tan) and John Schwab, died March 22, 2015 at age 59. Tom was born March 15, 1956 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. At Chapel Hill High School he was a member of its first state champion soccer team. He attended N.C. State University, playing with the rugby club, and became an antique-reproduction cabinet maker in Raleigh. He met his wife Ellen McCown of Tryon, NC, and followed her to the mountains. They married and moved to Hendersonville, where he was a kitchen and bath designer. He took great pride in working closely with clients to build custom kitchens to reflect their personalities and dreams. Hendersonville friends and business colleagues knew him as "Jock."

Jock loved the mountains, hiking, camping, and water sports. In his youth he took memorable backpacking trips to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, and more recently climbed 18,400 foot Pico de Orizaba in Mexico and sailed the Caribbean, among many other adventures. He loved being with friends and family and they loved being with him, especially on annual trips to Kerr Lake, Mount LeConte, Lake Lanier, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and elsewhere.

Tom Jock was a wonderful son, brother, father, and friend. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Ellen McCown, son Charles Bowen, daughter Ann Ramey, father: John Harris Schwab, brothers: Stewart and Kellogg, sister : Ann, fourteen nieces and nephews, and three grand-nieces and nephews. During his seven-year struggle with multiple myeloma, Tom was optimistic and strong, sometimes enduring great pain, while remaining devoted to his family and relishing their life together. To his extended family Tom will always remain the mountain man and his family will be the Mountain Schwabs. He will be deeply missed.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held Friday, March 27, at 2:00 pm at St. James Episcopal Church in Hendersonville, followed by a gathering in the Parish Hall. Memorial contributions in his name can be made to Medical Loan Closet, 1225 7th Ave. East, Hendersonville, NC 28792; or to Henderson County Humane Society, PO Box 706, Hendersonville, NC 28793.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center are in charge of arrangements.