Thomas Edward Musser

Musser Thomas Edward Musser (Mr. Strong) died Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010, at 2:38 p.m. at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. He was held by his parents and surrounded by the loving staff at the hospital. He was born Aug. 8, 2001, and at the age of 3½ was diagnosed with leukemia. He fought hard and never complained. He enjoyed life to the fullest and was a testament to all about hope, love and joy. He loved his family and friends. He loved school when he could attend. He loved baseball. He always said without a doubt in the world he was going to play for the Pittsburgh Pirates when he grew up. He loved swimming and playing with his dogs. He loved playing with his brothers, who were his life-line. His spirit and courage touched the lives of everyone he knew. His smile and wonderful hugs warmed the hearts of all he touched. His absence leaves a vast hole in the family's hearts. To summarize his life with words would be impossible. The closest words that come to mind are trust (he trusted his God, his family and the doctors) and love (a pure love for family, friends and life that sickness could not break, pain could not shake and death cannot take away). In the midst of sorrow, the family takes comfort in the words of King David at the death of his son that they will go to him one day. Survivors include his parents, Ed and Lisa Musser, and brothers, Matthew and Andrew, all of Rural Retreat; his grandparents, Rector and Linda Currin of Sugar Grove and Mike and Carol Musser of Rural Retreat; his aunt Robin Musser of Abingdon; his uncle Mick and aunt Melissa Musser and cousins Garret, Abby and Ben, all of Rural Retreat; and his uncle John and aunt Nancy Currin and cousins Brian and Katie, all of Blacksburg. Over the years of his treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the family grew close to many people it considers family. The staff at the hospital cared for him as if he were their own. The family has a special love for them all, including Ching-Hon Pui, M.D., his primary leukemia doctor, and Wing H. Leung, M.D., his bone-marrow-transplant doctor. In addition, the family grew to adore and love many of the nurse practitioners, physicians' assistants, nurses and staff. There are too many to list. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, Oct. 10, at 3 p.m. at Cedar Bluff Baptist Church, Atkins, with the Rev. Eddie Beck officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery, Marion. Instead of flowers, donations may be made in Thomas' honor to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or you may consider becoming a partner in hope for the hospital. Both may be made on the hospital's website, http://www.stjude.org, or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.