R. Thomas (Tom) Tinker, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2026, at Vitas Healthcare in Rockledge, FL, at the age of 84. He was surrounded by his loving wife and nieces.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, Roland F. Tinker, mother Chloe Brannon Tinker, sisters, Clancy T. Mundy (Jaque), Connie E. Clay, and his niece, Christina E. Clay.

Tommy's survivors include his wife, Gloria Tinker, nieces, Dawn Mann, (Tommy), Diandra Mundy, Jennifer Tuel, (Ryan), and nephew, Michael Mundy, (Tina).

Tom loved his cars. He was an avid golfer, a tenacious card player, and a lifelong Florida Gator fan, who had a passionate love affair with Häagen-Dazs ice cream. His grandfather, Hall of Fame baseball great shortstop for the Chicago Cubs, was Joe Tinker, of the Tinker to Evers to Chance double play lexicon.

Growing up, Tommy spent summers in Hendersonville, NC, and he spent the other months in Cocoa Beach, FL, at his parent's motel, Tinker by the Sea. In his early years, he worked for the Boeing Company, where he met the love of his life, Gloria Partelow. They were a dynamic team for 62 years and made marriage look easy.

In 1970, Tommy and Gloria moved to Gatlinburg, TN, where they became successful retail business owners and flourished with their primary shop, The Rampant Lion Art Gallery.

After retiring in 2021, Tom and Gloria divided their time between their homes in Hendersonville, NC, and Cocoa Beach, FL.

His wife, friends, nieces, and nephew, who lovingly called their uncle, "Uncle Griz," will miss his swagger, his stories, and his laughter. He was the epitome of "Cool."

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled in Hendersonville, NC, in the summer, and a separate Celebration of Life will be held in the fall in Florida.

In place of flowers, a donation can be made to a hospice or a charity of your choice.