Thomas “Tommy” Theodore Knox

Thomas “Tommy” Theodore Knox, 68, of Beaufort, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, September 5, 2025, at 6:45 a.m.

A service of celebration to honor Tommy’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 13th at Ann Street United Methodist Church in Beaufort. Please wear bright colors (he hated the color black), shorts, and your best flipflops. This was Tommy’s outfit of choice.

Tommy was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. He was born on November 5, 1956, to the late Marvin and Nancy (Whitehurst) Knox. He was a devoted husband of 47 years to his high school sweetheart, Cindy. They welcomed their one and only daughter, Lisa, in 1981 and became a family of three. He was deeply committed to his family and is survived by his wife Cindy Bayer Knox, his daughter Lisa and her husband Patrick, his cherished grandsons Garrison Thomas Rose and Lupton Knox Rose, a beloved nephew Jeremy Turnage and wife Ellen, and his sister Joy Knox Willis.

Tommy was a graduate of East Carteret High School. He held many careers over his years, but his most favorite position was as the “face of Carteret Health Care”. Everyone knew Mr. Tommy as the man with the bright colored shirts and beautiful ties, he worked in patient registration and was a friendly face for everyone coming into the hospital. Once the legend retired people would see him all over town and say how much they missed him at the hospital. He also worked part-time for 30 years at Munden’s Funeral Home, which he absolutely loved. He adored everyone that worked there plus he loved being a face of comfort for friends and family at a time when they needed him most. Countless people thanked him for being there at a time when his face was their brightest light of the day.

He truly believed in the power of conversation, as he never met a stranger, he always had a friendly smile and was trying to spread kindness everywhere he went, even when he went to get his favorite sweet tea at Smithfield’s drive thru.

He loved spending time with his family on a cruise boat vacation, golfing, drinking beer on the porch with friends, having Saturday breakfast at The Banks Grill, playing in the front yard with his grandsons, and traveling to hockey tournaments to see Garrison and Lupton take the ice. He was passionate about people, loved life, loved others and gave selflessly for all the years of his life.

The family would like to thank everyone at Duke Cancer Center for the excellent care shown to Tommy over the last 14 months. When he was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, we only expected a few months of time with him but due to their incredible care and treatment, we had 14 wonderful months of making memories. Thank you also to everyone who has called, texted, sent cards or stopped by to cheer him on and keep his spirits up during treatment, you will never understand the full impact they had on him and the family during this difficult time. Also, a huge thank you to Robin from hospice who quickly became a part of our family at our greatest time of need. She is a heaven-sent angel.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Duke Cancer Center, 300 W Morgan Street #1000, Durham, NC 27701 or online at www.gifts.duke.edu

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.