Thomas “Tommy” David Shutt Jr.

Thomas “Tommy” David Shutt, Jr.

On March 23, 2022, at 6:43am, Tommy left this world after years of battling COPD. He was 60 years old. Tommy was being visited and comforted by his daughter, Burgandi Bailey, at Suncoast Hospice Care Center Mid-Pinellas in Pinellas Park, FL. His last moments were peaceful.

Tommy was born in Toledo, OH, on November 7, 1961. He was the first of 7 children born to Thomas Shutt and Judy Shutt. Shortly after his birth, this new family moved to Lakeland, FL, where they lived for near half-dozen years. During this time Tommy welcomed home 2 sisters and a brother. Tommy’s growing family then moved to St. Petersburg, FL. Over the next several years he welcomed home another 3 sisters. Tommy continued to live in St. Petersburg for the remainder of his life, except for about a 6-month trial move to New York, with his wife, Karen Shutt.

Tommy attended Transfiguration Parish School, from grades 1 through 8. There, he was known for getting good grades and having an aptitude for sports, of which baseball was his favorite. He also attended Transfiguration Church, with his family, during this time. He even served there as an altar boy, from about grades 4 through 8. He was an outgoing child with a warm heart, making friends easily. During his younger years, Tommy enjoyed swimming at a local community pool, playing football with the neighborhood kids across the street from his childhood home on 42^nd Avenue North in St. Petersburg and fishing at Joe’s Creek down the road from there. One of his siblings’ favorite childhood memories is of being taken by big brother to go fishing at Joe’s Creek. Tommy was a fierce defender of his younger siblings during these years. Everyone knew not to “mess with” the Shutt kids, or they would have to answer to their big brother Tommy.

Tommy then went on to attend Gibbs Senior High School. Unfortunately, during the summer between grade school and high school Tommy was badly hurt while playing football with the neighborhood kids, putting him in a body cast for most of that summer. The accident left him unable to play sports again. Tommy left high school before graduating and he went on to work a variety of jobs over the proceeding years.

As an adult, Tommy held onto his love for fishing. He also enjoyed playing cards with his family and friends. In keeping with his love for playing the odds, he liked going to the Derby Lane in St. Petersburg, and playing the lottery. Watching television was almost a hobby for Tommy. He was especially fond of old westerns, science fiction and horror movies. “B” movies were on his watch list too. If one spent any time in front of the TV with Tommy, they would soon find him engrossed in the movie and mouthing the scripted words along with the actors and actresses.

Tommy was preceded in death by; his wife Karen Shutt, his siblings Corina Shutt, David Draper and Denise Wright, his “second father” Michael (Bama) Mizelle, his best and lifelong friends Daryl Ward, Tom Goins and Richard Potter.

Tommy is survived by; his children Burgandi Bailey, Breanna Floyd, James Taylor and Brian Shutt, his grandchildren Genevieve Bailey, Natalia Bailey, Tobias Bailey, his siblings Regina Shutt, Ronald Shutt, Christina Sturgill, Patricia Asaad, Angela Shutt and Lori Burrows, his parents Judy Shutt, Thomas Shutt, Sr. and his “second mother” Constance Shutt, his longtime friend Sue Barber.

Tommy’s Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2022, beginning at 12:00pm. The celebration will be held in the residential recreation center at Twin Gables Mobile Home Park, located at 4097 46^th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL, 33714. All are welcome and encouraged to join his family and friends in celebrating Tommy’s life, with prayer, song, food and drink. Parking is extremely limited, as this is a residential community. Carpooling is encouraged and parking should be done at the 4300 block of 42nd Avenue North, where legally permitted. The family will be shuttling back and forth between the parking area and celebration site.

Tommy’s family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Suncoast Hospice or the American Lung Association. A special thanks is given to the entire staff of Suncoast Hospice, including but not limited to doctors, nurses, social workers, nursing assistants, housekeeping and spiritual care providers. Their compassionate care was a great comfort to Tommy in his months and days on this earth.