Charles Thomas Shores, Jr.

     Charles Thomas Shores, Jr. of Cornelius passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on March 7, 2024, his 81^st birthday. Tom was born in Salisbury, North Carolina to the late Charles Thomas Shores, Sr. and Alma Curlee Shores. Growing up, he enjoyed being a Boy Scout under his father who served as his Scout Master. At the age of 14, Tom was an original member of the Salisbury-Spencer Chapter of Order of DeMolay and later served as Master Councilor. Tom attended Boyden High School, Class of 1961. He completed two years at Mars Hill College and graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration and Insurance from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1965. 
     

     Following graduation, Tom began his career in insurance sales yet faced the challenge of a commission-only job. He switched careers and successfully worked for International Harvester across the state of North Carolina for 5 years. In 1969, he had the opportunity to return to the insurance industry with his Uncle Bob and did so with vengeance. Over the past 54 years, the C.T. Shores Jr. & Associates Insurance Agency has helped thousands of teachers and public school employees save and build for their retirement. Many of his colleagues and clients became true and lifelong friends. Tom served on a National Field Advisory Council for five years and served as Chairman in his final year.  In 1998, Tom received the Lifetime Achievement Award for a distinguished career in Tax Sheltered Annuities, financial planning, and concern for his clients' financial security. 
     

     Outside of his career, Tom was a United States Army Veteran who served his country from 1966-1972. He served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher at Wedgewood Baptist Church, later attended Providence Baptist, and ultimately found a church home at Bethel Presbyterian Church. A true southern gentleman, Tom enjoyed traveling the world with his family, looking for shark teeth in Myrtle Beach, boating and fishing on Lake Norman, cruising the Blue Ridge Parkway with a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts, mowing his lawn, and a grilled T-bone steak on Saturday night. He was a lifelong Tar Heel, and enjoyed watching Carolina Basketball and tailgating before football games. 
     

     Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Rebecca Shores Barger. Tom is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 58 years, Dianne Shores, his son Charles Thomas Shores, III (Tommy) and daughter-in-law Betsy Kiefer Shores, and granddaughter Alexa of Cornelius, brothers David (Sheila) Shores of Heath Springs, SC and John (Susan) Shores of Salisbury, and brother-in-law Wayne (Susanne) Barbee of High Point, and many nieces and nephews.  

     A service to celebrate Tom’s life will be held Friday, March 15, 2024, at Bethel Presbyterian Church, 19920 Bethel Church Road, Cornelius. The family will receive friends at 11:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall and the service will follow at Noon with interment at the Bethel Presbyterian Church Cemetery. A live stream of the service will be available at bethelpc.online. 

     Contributions may be made in Tom’s memory to Bethel Presbyterian Church, 19920 Bethel Church Road, Cornelius, NC 28031, or the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, P.O. Box 14608, Greensboro, NC 27415. Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home is assisting the family. www.KepnerFH.com