Thomas Tudor Chambers passed away peacefully at his home in Highlands, NC on February 8, 2019. He was born on May 13, 1955 to Isabel (Hall) Chambers & the late Overton Chambers II. Tom was an eighth generation Highlander who grew up and continued to live in the beautiful town.
He loved that it was a small town where everyone looked after each other. He felt blessed by his familial roots there and the many friendships from his childhood days. As a child, he enjoyed the Boy Scouts, receiving the rank of Eagle Scout under the Order of the Arrow by the age of 14.
Scouting played a large role in his life and he prided himself in the life and leadership skills that it taught him. He later served as a Scout Master and helped both of his sons become Eagle Scouts as well. After school, Tom started his construction company, which has grown successfully over the last forty years, gaining him prestige for well-crafted historical log home restoration.
When Tom was not building log homes, he enjoyed hiking and traveling. He visited many places and people throughout his lifetime, especially any place where nature was prominent, history was strong, and a good time was shared. One of his favorite trips was to wooden onion-dome churches of the Island of Kizhi in Russia.
Tom was an avid bowler, golfer and backpacker, making many friendships and memories along the way. He was a member of the Highlands-Cashiers Board of Realtors, a former Board Member and Advisor of the Highlands Historical Society, and made donations to The Highlands Land Trust along the Kelsey Trail. He was a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation in Highlands where he served as a Junior Warden and Vestry.
A piece of Tom will always remain there as he played an integral role in the procurement and construction of its prominent red doors fashioned from high quality black walnut. Tom is survived by four children: Spencer Chambers (Mandi) of Blairsville, GA, Samuel Chambers (Jessica) of Maggie Valley, NC, Amanda Chambers of Franklin, NC, Bessie Shaw (Jaret) of Hartwell, GA; two grandchildren, Darby & Delaney (Spencer & Mandi); brothers; Tucker Chambers (Jeannie), Tim Chambers (Karen); the mother of his children, Vickie Chambers; fiancé, Maria James; longtime friend and foreman, Bob Watts; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, close friends and employees. In one of the last things that Tom wrote, he wanted people to know that he felt very blessed.
He loved his family and friends and was blessed by all of the wonderful people he had met throughout his journey in life. He always tried to be happy and felt as though when one door closed another would open. A memorial service will be held on March 2, 2019 at the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation in Highlands, NC.
Visitation will be at 9:30 am with the service beginning at 11:00 and interment of ashes to follow at Highlands Cemetery. A celebration of Tommy’s life will follow at his home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or The American Cancer Society in Tommy’s memory.
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