Obituary of Thomas Carl Cromer

Thomas Carl Cromer, born October 9, 1946, resigned his position on Earth and began his eternal celebration with his Savior on Friday, February 4th, 2022. Carl grew up in Spartanburg County, South Carolina before his time as an air traffic controller with the Air Force in Vietnam. He returned to meet and marry his bride of fifty years, Catherine McDowell Cromer. In addition to working as a corporate pilot for Gregory Electric Company and others, Carl was a controller for the Federal Aviation Administration for ten years, founder and business owner of Columbia Engine Supply for twenty-two years, and then a safety inspector for Martin Engineering and a contract OSHA inspector.

In 2017, Carl was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. His devoted wife and family provided him love and support in navigating this difficult journey. His family continued to enjoy his sense of humor, dry and corny as it was. He loved his two sons, John Carl (Betsy), and Thomas Edwin (Irina), and they loved him well. Carl doted on his two granddaughters, Hannah (11), and Ele (3), as well as his new grandson Alex (3 months). He remained close to his younger sister, Wanda of Spartanburg, and his older brother, Charles of Anderson. He was also very close to his brother-in-law, Ed (Vivian) McDowell. He was predeceased by his older brothers Johnny and Don, and his parents J.C. and Annabel.

Carl enjoyed his years of flying private planes, vacationing with his family at Sunset Beach each summer, and reading about war history and aviation. He was an avid backyard bird watcher, a strong supporter of Gamecock athletics, and took great pleasure and pride in maintaining his yard. For thirty-seven years, he and Catherine loved life at their Lake Murray home where they entertained a strong and devoted group of friends and family. The fall he took at his home recently, tragic though it was, occurred at the place he loved, with the wife he treasured. He had just enjoyed two wonderful days of playing and visiting with his sons and his granddaughters.

A celebration of Carl’s life will take place Saturday, February 12th at Grace Church of Columbia, 2710 Harrison Road, Columbia, SC 29204. The family will greet friends beginning at 2pm, with a celebration of life at 3:30pm.

Memorials may be made to Oliver Gospel Mission, 1100 Taylor Street, Columbia, SC 29201, Grace Church of Columbia, 2710 Harrison Road, Columbia, SC 29204, or a charity of your choice. The family would like to express our deepest thanks to both the staff of Richland Memorial Trauma ICU and the hospital’s Hospice team.

South Carolina Cremation Society is assisting the family. Please sign the online guestbook by clicking on the "tribute wall" tab above.