Thomas Lenwood Brinson

Thomas Lenwood Brinson, 77, of New Bern, NC, passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Carolina East Medical Center, with his loving wife by his side. He was born August 3, 1947 in Morehead City, to parents, A. Lenwood and Gretchen May (Willis) Brinson, and grandparents, Thomas Clifford, III and Alma Pearla (Adams) Willis, and Green Carawan and Julia James (Bennett) Brinson, who preceded him in death.

Tom was a 1972 graduate of Atlantic Christian College. There he met the love of his life, Pamela Anne Edenton, with whom he would build a loving family on a foundation of prayer and unwavering strength and devotion. Tom worked as an industrial engineer and engineering consultant who enjoyed working both on paper and in the field. He started his career with J.E. Sirrine Engineering Company in Greenville, SC, later known as CRS Sirrine. In Greenville, they welcomed three children, to whom they were wholly committed.

He transferred to Raleigh in 1985 and was later called to consult at Weyerhaeuser of New Bern. While consulting, he longed to be back near his hometown of Morehead City, where his parents still lived. The family moved to New Bern in 1996, their forever home.

Tom was active, both in the Methodist Church, and in the community. With his wife, he served on the Family Council at Millbrook Methodist in Raleigh and on the Board of Trustees at Millbrook and Garber Methodist in New Bern. He served Habitat for Humanity of Craven County on the board, as President, and on-site volunteer to help build and restore homes for those in need. He also served on the board of the Neuse River Community Development Corporation.

Tom was a man of constant faith and enjoyed being an active member of Garber Church. He found joy in his final years serving others also going through Cancer treatment. He was a talented craftsman who enjoyed woodworking and gun restoration. Making and repairing furniture and restoring keepsakes passed down from generation to generation was deeply meaningful to him. Tom also enjoyed writing. From newspaper articles, short stories, and published works to poems and handwritten letters, Tom transformed thoughts of life, love, family, faith, and living by the water into beautiful works. During his retirement he filled his time with these activities as well as spending as much time as possible with his beloved family. He was truly a model of Christ’s Light to the world.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Pamela Brinson; sons, Clifford Brinson, Phillip Brinson and wife Kelly of New Bern; daughter, Erin Brinson Passailaigue of Kinston; grandsons, Mason Brinson, Matthew Passailaigue, Sam Brinson, and Maxwell Passailaigue. He is also survived by his sister, Julie Hosley; nephews, Thomas and Mark Hosley.

He is preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; aunt and uncle, Daphne Willis and Paul E. Moore, and brother-in-law, H.L. Hosley.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Garber Methodist Church, 4201 Country Club Rd, New Bern, NC 28562 or CarolinaEast Foundation (with Journey of Hope in the memo line), 2007B Neuse Blvd, New Bern, NC 28560.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Garber Methodist in New Bern; date TBD.

Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noebrooks.net

Arrangements by Noe-Brooks Funeral Home & Crematory of Morehead City, NC.