Dr. Thomas Henderson Byrnes, Jr.

Dr. Thomas Henderson Byrnes Jr, age 87, passed away on June 21, 2025 at his home in Thomasville. He was born on August 19, 1937 at Watts Hospital in Durham, NC, where his father was the Pathologist.  Both of his parents were born in 1898, his dad in New York, just after his family settled, after leaving Ireland in the mid 1850’s.  His mom was born in Wadesboro, NC of Scotch-Irish settlers. At that time, he had two older sisters, Cassie and Betty, who were 12 and 7 years older.

His early years were during the 2nd World War, with one year in Hartsville, SC, while his dad was overseas in Panama, in the Navy. They spent most of the war at the Naval Hospital at Camp LeJeune, NC, where Tom started school. They returned to their home in Charlotte, NC, where he attended Delworth Elementary School, then Alexander Graham, Jr. High and graduated from Charlotte Central High School, Class of 1955. He then attended Princeton University in New Jersey, graduating with an AB in Political Science in 1959. Then attended Duke University Medical School and graduated in 1963, with his MD. Dr. Byrnes completed his training in Internal Medicine in the Navy at the US Naval Hospital, San Diego, California. In 1970, he was discharged from the Navy and joined Thomasville Medical Associates in Thomasville, NC, where he practiced for 28 years until his retirement in December 1998. 

Tom was born with a talent for singing and acting. He was first a boy soprano in St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Charlotte, then as a member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church, and finally 1st Presbyterian Church of Thomasville, NC where he served as an Elder. He performed with Princeton Glee Club and Choir and Duke Choir and Chancel Singers, New Atlanta Singers and Thomasville Players Theater group. He also served on the Shakespeare Festival Board, the Thomasville Hospital Foundation, and had a love for scuba diving and underwater photography.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his son, Thomas “Tommy” Byrnes, III; and two sisters, Catherine McAden and Elizabeth Sanders.

Surviving is his wife of 41 years, Shirley Harris Nichols Byrnes, who he married in 1984. Also surviving are his four children, Frances Byrnes Bassett, Carol Anne Byrnes, Steven Lynn Grimm and wife Allison Moore, and Beverly Grimm Wright; five granddaughters, Carley Byrnes, Kailyn Wright, Anna Grace Wright and wife Juli, Alex Clampi and husband Joey, and Samantha Grimm; and six nieces, Florence McAden, Marie Weatherford, Rebecca Hudson, Catherine Reed, Betsy Turner, and Martha Foster.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church in Thomasville with Rev. Susanne Martin officiating. A casual reception will follow the service in the church fellowship hall. To stay true to his Irish heritage, there will be an old-time Irish Wake at the family’s home from 4:00 to 6:00 PM on Friday afternoon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent First Presbyterian Church, 21 Randolph Street, Thomasville, NC 27360 or Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center Foundation, 207 Old Lexington Road, Thomasville, NC 27360. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.jcgreenandsons.com  

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