Thomas "Tommy" John Mulanix

Thomas John "Tommy" Mulanix, age 53, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., died August 17, 2020 at his home. Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, August 22, 2020 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with Father Gerald Holloway officiating. Burial will be in Holy Spirit Columbarium Gardens with Norwood Wyatt Chapel Funeral Home directing. Visitation will be 9-11 a.m. Saturday, August 22, 2020 at the church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas C. and Marilyn R. (Stephens) Mulanix. Survivors include his wife, Debbie Reynolds Mulanix; sons, Thomas Matthew and Brendan Mason Mulanix; brother, Steve Mulanix (Tracy); sister, Susie Steinbach (Scott); and nephews, Zachary Mulanix, Garrett Mulanix, Maxwell Mulanix, Thomas Morrissey, Tyler Morrissey (Jana) and Timothy Morrissey; his mother-in-law, Brenda Jones Reynolds; his father-in-law, Willis Glenn Reynolds and his wife Jane Reynolds. Tommy was born on March 28, 1967 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. The Mulanix family moved to Rochester Hills, Michigan in 1971. Tommy's youth was full of activities where he excelled in sports. Hockey, football, and baseball were his passions. After graduating from Rochester Adams High School in 1986, Tommy followed his older brother and enrolled at the University of Alabama. He pledged into the Beta Delta Chapter of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity where he went from one brother to 100+ brothers. Tommy cherished his ATO Brotherhood, VTL. He received his Bachelor's Degree from UA in 1992 and Tuscaloosa became his home. Tommy was introduced by a mutual friend to his beautiful southern belle, Debbie Reynolds. They were joined in marriage on June 29, 1996, and were blessed with two outstanding sons, Matthew and Mason. You did not have to look too far to find Tommy on the side lines watching, coaching, and encouraging Matthew and Mason to be the best that they could be. Tommy rarely ever missed any of their football, basketball, or baseball games. Tommy was an avid Alabama football fan, loved the beach, an excellent golfer and adored Golden Retrievers. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with ALS in 2018 and fought a courageous battle to beat this horrible disease for two years. He did this with a tremendous positive attitude. Tommy could hit a golf ball so far that he inherited the nickname, "Mongo". Therefore, his motto became Mongo's Warrior #beatingalsonestepatatime and had an amazing team of warriors supporting him. Prior to his ALS diagnosis, he worked 30+ years in the tobacco industry for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco and Republic Tobacco where he received numerous awards in top sales. Tommy will be remembered for his infectious smile, his wonderful personality, his ability to never meet a stranger, and his amazing love for life. He also had a very strong and deep Catholic faith. Pallbearers will be Matthew and Mason Mulanix. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. John Riser and the entire staff of the Alabama Neurology ALS Clinic, the Tanner Foundation, the ALS Chapter of Alabama, the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Dr. Scott Kemp, Dr. Thomas Emig, Dr. William Standeffer, Comfort Care Home Health & Hospice, the staff of Druid City Vital Care, K2 Adventures Foundation, the Tanner Foundation, the ALS Chapter of Alabama, the Beta Delta Chapter of Alpha Tau Omega, and many, many friends that have meant so much to our family throughout the years. In lieu of flowers: K2 Adventures Foundation will be receiving all donations on behalf of The Mulanix Family. The funds will be distributed amongst the family's choice of charities including the Tanner Foundation, the ALS Chapter of Alabama, and educational support for their sons. Donations can be made at K2adventures.org/donate or checks can be made out to K2 and mailed to K2 Adventures Foundation 20645 N. Pima Rd, Suite 100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255. The foundation phone number is 480-797-2950.