LANCASTER, SC ~ Mr. Thomas Earl "Tommy" Grier, 71, passed away on Monday, February 24, 2020, surrounded by his adoring family.  He was born on January 9, 1949, in Lancaster, SC, the son of the late Thomas Roland "TR" Grier and Helen Bailey Grier and was the husband of Claudia Eaton Grier.  Mr. Grier was born and raised in Lancaster.  He was a graduate of Lancaster High School and a 1971 graduate of the University of South Carolina.   Upon graduation, he became involved in management and ownership of C&H Tire and Appliance, following in his father's footsteps.  For the past 30 years, he was involved in the insurance industry.  Both careers allowed Mr. Grier to enjoy and develop personal relationships with many different people, which he cherished and reminisced about through the years.  Getting to know and helping others became a significant pleasure in his life.  He was an avid Gamecock fan, not only in football, but also basketball and baseball.  While living in South Carolina, and before his health issues, he attended and supported the Gamecock football program. Mr. Grier also loved his many trips to Myrtle Beach with his family.  He was a member of First United Methodist Church.

Mr. Grier is survived by his wife of 48 years, Claudia E. Grier; three children, Jennifer G. Weeks (Mike) of Indian Trail, NC, Brian T. Grier (Beth) of Chester, SC, and Laura E. Henderson (Ren) of Newberry, SC; grandchildren, Peyton M. Weeks, Josh T. Weeks,  Jackson T. Grier, Bailey A. Grier, Isaac Pendley, and Madison Pendley; two sisters, Rachel G. Bridgers (Sonny) of Garner, NC, and Beth G. Hinson of Lancaster; two sisters-in-law, Barbara Dunlap of Charlotte, NC, and Sally Maxey (Jerry) of Piedmont, SC; a brother-in-law, James Eaton, Jr. (Megan) of Greenville, SC; seven nephews, Rusty Dunlap, Jeffrey Bridgers, Jody Bridgers, Jamie Bridgers, Brad Hinson, Aaron Eaton, and Andrew Eaton; and four nieces, Angela Hale, Melodie Marks, Azlee Eaton, and Adelyn Eaton.

The Celebration of Life Service will be at 12:00 noon, Saturday, February 29, 2020, at First United Methodist Church officiated by Pastor Charles Phillips and special family friend, Tim Cox.

The family will receive friends from 10:45 am-11:45 am, prior to the service, in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial contributions to be made to the Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 21301 S Tamiami Trl Ste 320 PMB 226, Estero, FL, 33928 or First United Methodist Church, PO Box 608, Lancaster, SC, 29721.

An online guest register is available for condolences on the obituaries page at www.burgessfunerals.com .

Burgess Funeral Home and Crematory of Lancaster is caring for the family of Mr. Tommy Grier.