Thomas L. McCord

 Thomas Linn McCord, who made his life’s work in the automobile industry and who changed many lives for the better as a mentor and sponsor, passed away on Dec. 28 in Savannah of complications from lung cancer. He was 70 years old.

 Tom was born April 12, 1954, in Sterling, Ill., west of Chicago. He was the eldest of four children born to Theodore and Shirley Mae (Finders) McCord. He moved with his family to Delray Beach, Fla., at age 15.

 Following his graduation in 1972 from Atlantic High School, Tom went to work at Boyd’s Body Shop in Delray Beach. At first he drove a tow truck; then, under the guidance of shop owner Carlton Bone, he learned the body work trade. In the late 1970s he bought the business, renamed it McCord’s, and operated it successfully for many years.

After initially retiring he found he missed the work, so he bought J&S Automotive in Boynton Beach and ran that shop until his ultimate retirement in 2022. In retirement, Tom moved to Midway, Ga., where he continued to work with cars – including a ’67 Pontiac GTO that he assembled from parts of two vehicles.

 His work with Alcoholics Anonymous was an important part of Tom’s life, following his achievement of lifelong sobriety on Jan. 2, 1998. Tom served as an AA sponsor for dozens of members, even hiring many to work in his business. He also served as a board member of Fern House in West Palm Beach, a residential rehabilitation facility for men.

 Tom is survived by his partner, Jayme Rother of Midway; they were high school sweethearts who reconnected later in life. He is also survived by his children, Scott McCord and Debbra Olavarria (Jason), both of Loxahatchee, Fla., and Veronica McCord of Tampa, Fla., whom he raised with his late wife, Mary. Surviving him also are his grandchildren, Sarah and Justin McCord.

Survivors also include two siblings – Pam Schafer of Delray Beach and Juli Druien (Bob) of Collierville, Tenn. – as well as nieces and nephews, and Cody Hartmann of Richmond Hill, Ga., whom Tom considered like a son. Tom’s brother, Tim, predeceased him.

 Friends are invited to a casual gathering of remembrance on Jan. 18 at Tom and Jayme’s home in Midway. A celebration of life is also planned for Feb. 22 in Delray Beach.

 Donations in Tom’s memory may be made to Fern House at https://fernhouse.org.