Thomas Henry Shrader was born in Marlinton, on July 12, 1943.
He was surrounded by his family’s love and prayers when he passed away in Lakeway, Texas, on October 14, 2015.
Tom lived his first 10 years in Pocahontas County with a love of the Allegheny Mountain and Greenbrier River.
He was the son of George Henry Shrader and Lula Katherine Wymer and the stepson of Emerson Paul Harris. He was preceded in Heaven by an infant brother; half-brothers, Raymond, Sterl, and Robert Glenn; half-sisters, Goldie, Eva and Lenora; uncle, Elmer Wymer; aunt, Blanche Wymer; and sister-in-law, Chi Tam.
He is survived by the joy of his life, Michele, his wife of 50 years; by his son, Theodore, wife, Mary, and their son, Benjamin; and by Mary’s parents, Jim and Gloria Bryant. He is also survived by cousins Robert Wymer, Ruth Taylor, Wanda Buchannon and their families of West Virginia.
Tom graduated with honors from the University of Arizona and worked professionally as an Agronomist, Ecologist, and Supervisory Biologist with the US Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation for 32 years.
Tom initiated native revegetation programs on the Rio Grande and Colorado River, and in retirement, he participated in the Native Plant Society of Texas, encouraging native riparian restoration on the Rio Grande.
Tom enjoyed carpentry, and he was a serious bibliophile with well over 5,000 books, including many titles on Allegheny Mountain biology and history.
Upon moving to Lakeway in 2006, Tom was involved in many social service activities with Emmaus Catholic Parish, including serving as Extraordinary
Minister of the Eucharist and as Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 14025 during the 2007-2008 service year.
Although Tom had to deal with a lot of physical discomfort during his later years, he always felt he was lucky and blessed with a wonderful family.
Online condolences may be made at www.wcfish.com