Thomas Hitchner

Thomas "Tom" Edward Hitchner Sr., age 68, of Laurens, South Carolina, passed away on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, following a long and courageous journey through chronic illness. He was born on March 20, 1957, in Salem, New Jersey, a son of the late Thelma A. Hitchner and Howard J. Hitchner Sr.

Tom moved to Cape Canaveral, Florida, as a teenager and often returned to the beach, a place where he felt most at home. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, he found purpose in skilled trades. He was a lifelong craftsman, long-haul trucker, and gifted mechanic. He spent countless hours restoring cars and motorcycles, guided by the same steady hands and instincts he had developed as a boy working with horses. Music was his other great passion. More than a guitarist, he was a true musician who lived to share songs, teach what he knew, and create something meaningful with others. His humor, sense of adventure, and storytelling made him unforgettable to those who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Patty Hitchner; his former wife and longtime friend, Pam Davis Hitchner; his children: Michelle Brewer, Shannon Walz, Elizabeth Wilson, Thomas Hitchner Jr., and Davis Hitchner; and his stepson, Matthew Robinson. He is also survived by his sisters, Donna Hitchner, Gail Hitchner, and Patti Dathe; siblings-in-law, Scott Dathe and Bernadette Hitchner; as well as the spouses of his children, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and an extended family of nieces, nephews, and loved ones.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Howard J. Hitchner Jr.; and his sister, Sheryl J. Ross.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date, with details shared privately.