Citadel Alumni Obituaries

Thomas Michael Fain of Raleigh, NC died Monday, November 26, 2012, of
pancreatic cancer. Mr. Fain, a sixth generation North Carolinian, was born
in Hendersonville, NC on December 9, 1944. He was the son of the late James
Toole Fain, Jr. and Thomasina Shepherd Fain. Mr. Fain was reared in
Hendersonville and graduated from Hendersonville High School. He was a 1968
graduate of The Citadel and served in the U.S. Army with posts at Ft.
Campbell, Kentucky and Camp Casey, Republic of Korea. He received an
honorable discharge as a First Lieutenant. Mr. Fain married “”the light of
his life,”" Sandra Merrill, in 1969.Two daughters, Heather Merrill Fain
Schaefer (Robert) of New York City and Amy Elizabeth Fain Johnson (Kevin) of
Raleigh grew up in Charlotte, where the Fains were members of Covenant
Presbyterian Church. Mr. Fain served on the Session and on various
committees. He was also active in the Dilworth Community Development
Association. Mr. Fain was a member of Christ Church, serving as a Lay
Eucharistic Minister and Morning Prayer Reader, and volunteering with
Habitat for Humanity and Meals On Wheels. All who knew Mr. Fain know his
love of politics. A lifelong Democrat, he could debate with the best of
them. He was a talented woodworker and at the time of his death was working
on several projects. He will be remembered for his quick wit, wonderful
laugh, and for always striving to do the right thing. His deepest and most
abiding joy was found in his family. Of being a husband, father, and
grandfather, he once wrote, “”No man could ask nor receive a greater gift
from his Lord in this life.”" Mr. Fain worked for Duke Power Company in
Charlotte for 20 years, retiring as Director of Compensation and
Organization Design. He subsequently served in various human resource
management capacities in NC State Government. During his career, he was
active in the American Compensation Association and the Edison Electric
Institute. In retirement, Mr. Fain established Fain and Associates to
provide transportation and media services to the many authors who visit the
Triangle. Since Mr. Fain was a voracious reader known for his hospitality,
this was an ideal retirement pursuit. Surviving Mr. Fain in addition to his
wife and girls are two adored granddaughters to whom Mr. Fain was a
well-loved “”POP,”" Madelyn Elizabeth Johnson (age five of Raleigh) and
Merrill Anne Schaefer (age one year of New York City.) Also surviving are
two brothers, James Toole Fain, III (Peggy) of Raleigh and The Reverend
Robert Duncan Fain (Deborah) of Augusta, Georgia. In addition he is survived
by brothers and sisters-in-law Robert and Lois Merrill (Brevard, NC), Nancy
Merrill Jones (Olanta, SC) and Clyde and Ruth Merrill Fulk (Raleigh, NC),
and numerous nieces and nephews. A service of Christian Burial will be held
at Christ Church, 120 East Edenton Street, Raleigh on Friday, November 30 at
11 am, to be followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. The Reverend James
P. Adams, Rector of Christ Church will officiate. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Christ Church, PO Box 25778,
Raleigh, NC 27611-5778. Gifts will be distributed to Habitat for Humanity
and the Clark Grew Help for Homeless.

Tags: 1968