Thomas Priest

Thomas Ray "Tom" Priest, 63, passed away Friday, February 20, 2015 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on May 21, 1951 in Pinehurst, NC to the late John Albert Priest and the late Sarah Margaret Medlin Priest Stewart. Tom married the love of his life, Lois Anne Latzak Priest, his high school sweet heart and soul mate in 1984. Tom was a 1969 graduate from Union Pines High School, Cameron, NC, earned his B.S. Textile Technology and B.S. Textile Chemistry from N.C. State University in December 1973. He retired in April 2014 from Huntsman International where he was employed as a chemist and technical specialist. During his textile career he also worked for Milliken & Company, Ciba Geigy Corporation, Apollo Chemical and High Point Chemical. Tom was a loving member and past Elder of Graham Presbyterian Church. He was an avid N.C. State Wolfpack Fan and he loved playing and watching sports. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. Family and friends were very important to him. Tom was known for his easy going personality, his great sense of humor, his honesty and integrity, his desire to help others and his faith and love of Jesus Christ. Tom was a true warrior and fought lung cancer bravely during the past three and a half years. The family would like to relay their gratitude to Dr. Sandeep Pandit and his amazing team at Alamance Regional Medical Center's Cancer Center for the exceptional care that they gave him during this journey. Survivors other than his wife, Lois include his children, John Thomas Priest, Emily Rae Preston and husband, Michael; grandchildren, Maleah Rae Preston, Mazzie Belle Preston; brother, Joseph Albert Priest and wife, Kathleen; sister, Patricia Sue Priest and husband, Steven McMillan. A Celebration of Life Service will take place Wednesday March 4, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. at Graham Presbyterian Church in Graham, North Carolina. Services are to be conducted by Dr. Steve Braswell. The family will receive friends following the service in the Fellowship Hall and other times at the home. Lowe Funeral Home is serving the Priest family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Graham Presbyterian Church, 216 W. Harden Street, Graham, NC 27253 or to the Memorial Program at Huntsman Cancer Foundation, 500 Huntsman Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108.