Tom Douglas McGuirt

Tom Douglas McGuirt, 72, passed away on Sunday, November 6, 2022. He was a much loved husband, father, grandfather and friend and a humble servant of God. 

He is survived by his wife of nearly 47 years, Victoria Wynne McGuirt, son Douglas Elliott McGuirt (wife Katelyn) of Greenville, S.C., daughter Mary McGuirt Zacá (husband Domenico) of Milan, Italy, granddaughter Leah Rosalind McGuirt, grandson William Arlo Zacá, and brother, Dr. William Frederick McGuirt. Tom was the son of the late Wilson Thomas and Ina Williams McGuirt and the brother of the late James Lee McGuirt.  

Tom’s life was spent joyfully fulfilling his duties to his family and to the church where he grew up and served as an elder for many decades, First Presbyterian Church of Lumberton, N.C.  

Stories abound of the many exploits of the McGuirt brothers of Riverside Drive, many of which involve the Lumber River, whose dark waters run past the house where they grew up. As the years went by, the fish somehow grew bigger, the shark’s teeth and arrowheads sharper, and the cottonmouths more aggressive. Tom was a starting defensive lineman for the Pirates, a class officer, and an Eagle Scout.  

After meeting his wife at Campbell College and returning to Lumberton, Tom worked many years for Monroe Hardware Company as a sales representative, where he drove hundreds of thousands of miles and made countless friends among the many small town hardware stores of southeastern North Carolina before retiring in 2019.  

Much of his adult life revolved around serving First Presbyterian Church, whether it was washing dishes after Wednesday night supper, driving elderly members to Sunday services, coordinating Sunday School classes as superintendent, or opening up the gym for church youth to play basketball. He never cared to be the center of attention but he was a steadfast rock in the life of the church. One of his proudest moments was being named Elder Emeritus.  

The final decade of his life was marked by the arrival of his grandchildren Leah and William, who adored him and were adored beyond measure. While his last years were marked by intense suffering due to illness, his will to live and his faith never wavered. He was an inspiration to all who knew him, and all who knew him will miss him.  

A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, November 20 at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, located at 1002 N Chestnut St., Lumberton, NC 28358.

Donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church in Lumberton, directed towards any of the various committees he served on, including Boy Scouts, Kitchen, Property, and Weekday School.