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University of North Carolina

FUNERAL HOME

Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home

56 Northwest Blvd.

Newton, North Carolina

Tom Zaliagiris Obituary

NEWTON - Tom Zaliagiris, 50, of Ninth Tee Drive, Newton, died Monday, Jan. 29, 2007, at Catawba Valley Medical Center. Born Feb. 23, 1956, in Detroit, Mich., and raised in Livonia, Mich., he was the son of Joan Spurgeon Zaliagiris of Battle Creek, Mich., and the late Edward Joseph Zaliagiris. Tom graduated from Detroit Catholic Central High School in 1974 and from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1978. Tom played basketball under Coach Dean Smith and played in the final game of the 1977 NCAA Championship. He also played professional basketball in Rome, Italy. He worked in the furniture industry his entire professional career, working for Classic Leather, Statesville Chair, Taylor-King as president, Bentley-Churchill, and finally at Southwood Furniture Corp. He was an avid golfer and loved spending time with his children. He was truly a man of God. Survivors include his mother, Joan Spurgeon Zaliagiris of Battle Creek, Mich.; a daughter, Isabella Katherine Zaliagiris of Conover; two sons, Thomas E. Zaliagiris and Jack Bentley Zaliagiris, both of Conover; thee sisters, Mary Pat Harter of Battle Creek, Mich., Janet Horvath of Littleton, Colo., and Margaret O'Riley of Fenton, Mich.; and a brother, John J. Zaliagiris of Grand Blanc, Mich. Tom was engaged to Dawn Ewes of Boynton Beach, Fla. A Service of Remembrance will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007, at First Presbyterian Church in Newton. The Revs. Dr. Bobby Blanton and Dr. Ruffin Snow will officiate. Burial will be in Conover City Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007, at Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007, at Detroit Catholic Central High School Chapel in Novi, Mich. Memorials may be made to the Thomas Zaliagiris' Children College Fund, c/o Tom Zaliagiris Jr., 3475 Duck Pond Drive, Conover, N.C. 28613; Tom Zaliagiris Memorial Fund at Detroit Catholic Central High School, 27225 Wixom Road, Novi, Mich. 48374; or UNC-Chapel Hill Intramural Sports Program, Tom Zaliagiris Memorial, P.O. Box 309, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514-0309. Condolences may be sent to the Zaliagiris family at www.willisreynoldsfuneralhome.com. The Zaliagiris family has entrusted funeral arrangements to Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home and Crematory in Newton.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Hickory Daily Record on Jan. 31, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Tom Zaliagiris

14 Entries

Jodi Villarreal

February 13, 2007

I am a lifelong friend of Tom's fiance, Dawn Ewest and her sister Deb. I just recently learned of Tom's passing, and my heart aches for Dawn and everyone who loved Tom.

Though I never met him it is very easy to see that Tom was a great guy who touched many people's lives. Dawn, I wish I could be there to hug you and offer my support. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Wayne Gibson

February 1, 2007

Although I didn't know Tom personally, I remember hearing about him from Phil Ford years ago. I have also read the letter from Tom's son's stepfather, describing what a wonderful father Tom was. His loss will be felt by many.

May God be with Tom's family.

Deidra Locklear

February 1, 2007

My thoughts and prayers are with Tom's family.I worked with Tom at Taylor King and he was a loving and devoted father. God bless each of you.

Lee Wells

January 31, 2007

We are so very sad to hear of Tom's passing. As difficult as it is, it was Our Lord and Savior's time to take Tom. Please believe that and be comforted in the fact that he is with Our Lord in Heaven.

May our precious Lord bless and be with you, comfort you, and reassure you that Tom has been risen to be with his, and our Savior, in the Glory of Our Father.

Take care and know that the pain of this loss in our world, is our Lord's Celebration for eternity!

God Bless and Keep you all,

Lee and Katy Wells, UNC '86

Betsy and Jeff Isenhour

January 31, 2007

We are so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. We send our love and prayers for God's loving arms to surround and keep Isabella, Tommy and Beth in this time of sadness. We love all of you and are here for you. Betsy and Jeff Isenhour

Gene and Gayle Cannon

January 31, 2007

Our deepest sympathy to the family. Tom will be missed by all.
God BLess you and comfort you during this sad time.

We saw a mouse in the office and Tom didn't want it going up his pants legs.

January 31, 2007

Kelly Hoots

January 31, 2007

Tom Zaliagiris will live on forever in all the lives he has touched. I have never met a more loving and proud Dad. He was always bragging about his kids and sending me photos of them. I know his kids will carry on with all the love and integrity he has shown them. My prayers go out to them.

I worked with Tom at Taylor King and Bentley Churchill. He was so much more than a boss. He was a caring and loyal friend. I have so many fond memories of him. He was so much fun...Party on Tom!!!

Chuck Steadman

January 31, 2007

My sympathies and prayers go to Tom's mother, Dawn, and his children and family. Tom's talents were unmatched in his industry. I enjoyed working for him twice, and know that God's upholstery is going to look a lot better now.

Crystal Kerley

January 31, 2007

Tom was truly one of the kindest and
caring people a person could have the
pleasure of knowing. I have known Tom
for many years and he was always the
same, full of life, love and compassion.
It was truly an honor to have known Tom
and he will be dearly missed.

Martha Propst

January 31, 2007

I was sorry to hear about Tom's passing. I really enjoyed working with him at St. Timothy chair. Since our offices were beside each other,we used to kid each other about State and Carolina. We had great fun trying to the best of the other one when our team would win and the other one lost. He will be truly missed by a host of friends and business associates.

WENDY B. LITTLE

January 31, 2007

I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to Tom's family. I worked for Tom at Taylor King Furniture for 8 years. Not only was Tom the company President but he was my friend. During that time I also came to know Beth, Tommy and Isabella. Each of them were very special to me. I pray for them and the other family members left behind. When I think of Tom, I smile. I'm glad I knew him. We shared many laughs, good conversations and he taught me alot about the Furniture Industry. I always joked with Tom about naming "Bentley-Churchill" after me because Bentley was my maiden name. It was a joke between the two of us that once more gave us something to chuckle about. Tom was a very Talented, Loving man and He will be missed my many, including myself.
Regards~ Wendy B. Little

Ron & Judy Downs

January 31, 2007

We were so sorry to hear about Tom's passing. Tom was a very special person who was nice to everyone. You could tell how proud he was of his children.

Tom did so much to help our family, particularly Ron. We cared a lot about Tom and we care about the family he has left behind.

You all are in our thoughts and
prayers.

Love, Ron and Judy Downs

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results