Obituary of Thomas Lee Shrader

Thomas Lee Shrader of Winter Haven, Florida passed away on February 8, 2016 at the home of his loving sister, Susan Diane Shrader Lilly with is family around him. Thomas was born to Harry Lee Shrader and Mildred Irene Richardson Shrader and was affectionately known as “Bosh” by his family and close friends during his younger days in Wytheville. In his RV traveling, he was also known as ‘007’. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother James Franklin Shrader and sister, Latisha Irene Shrader. He was a 1948 graduate of Wytheville High School and he participated on the 1947 undefeated football team. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from California State College, Domingo Hills, in 1976. A 22 year veteran of the U.S. Navy, he reached the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer. In his naval career, he served on the USS Yorktown, USS Intrepid, USS Arcadia and USS Markab where he served in the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets as an Enlisted Personnel Distribution Officer. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, The National Defense Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and retired from active service in 1970. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Jewel Hanks Shrader; his children: Linda Rhea Shrader Warden of Hanes City, Florida and her husband, Jim; Jeffrey Thomas Shrader of Virginia; Fletcher Allen Shrader of Winter Haven, Florida and his wife Rosa; Gregory Carden Shrader of Willington, North Carolina and his wife, Ilene; Scott Anthony Shrader of Atascadearo, California; Annette M. Brown of Eastville, Virginia and her husband, Gary; and Melissa D. Stevens of Wytheville and husband, Dale; 18 grandchildren; 17 Great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister, Susan Dianne Shrader Lilly of Wytheville; a nephew, Timothy James Shrader of Wytheville; a niece, Tammy Paulette Shrader of Laurel Fork; first cousin Donald Sidney Lawson of Wytheville; many dear friends including a special friend to the family, Martha Fontaine Patterson of Wytheville; and special feline friend, Homer-T. In his days on this Earth, his happiness came from helping others and he was not known for basking in his own glory. Tom believed in doing his very best with whatever he wanted to accomplish. He enjoyed gardening, was well-skilled in remodeling and a world traveler. He loved traveling with the Cardinal Virginias RV Chapter and served as Past President of the FMCA; member of the Moose Lodge, Fleet Reserve and Wytheville American Legion Post 9. The family wishes to express our heartfelt gratitude toward all those associated with the Tampa Florida and Salem Virginia Veteran’s Administration; Dr. John Turski, his case manager, Cindy and all of the staff of Hospice of Southwest Virginia; Virginia ‘Ginger’ Osborne from Team Nurse; and LiKicha Wilson from SunCrest Home Healthcare. Your concern, assistance and support are truly a blessing. The family received friends Wednesday evening, February 10, 2016 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM in the Grubb Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 11, 2016 at the Grubb Funeral Home conducted by Rev. Richard Collins, the Rev. Tommy Addison, and Rev. Brad Simpson with interment to follow in the West End Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the: Parkinson National Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street Suite 800, Miami, Florida 33131. Pallbearers will be: Joe Chrisley, Hunter Addison, Michael Addison, Rick Richardson, Gary Hill, Larry Hanks. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Benny Lynn, Charles Crockett. Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.