Paul ""Tom"" Thomas Schrum, 77, of Catawba County, died Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011, at Carolinas Medical Center in Lincoln County. Born Feb. 12, 1934, in Catawba County, he was the son of the late Earl McNairy Schrum and Nell Bly Moose Schrum. Dr. Schrum attended Wake Forest University and Lenoir-Rhyne College before going to Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tenn., where he received his doctorate in Optometry. Dr. Schrum practiced for 40 years in Hudson. Tom was a lifetime member of the American Optometric Association and the North Carolina Optometric Society. He was also a longtime member of the Lions Club in Hudson and the Lenoir Exchange Club. Dr. Schrum loved playing bridge, fishing, airplanes both real and model, boats, and old cars. He especially loved caring for his Hereford cattle. He loved his family the most. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers, Earl Jr., Dr. Sydney Schrum, Dr. Max Schrum; and a sister, Laura Nell Schrum Hoffman. Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Judy Williams Schrum, of Catawba; his sons, Paul Thomas Schrum, Jr. and his wife, Lucy, of Raleigh, and John Earl Schrum, of Newton; a daughter, Laura Schrum Taylor and her husband, Terry, of Newton; a brother, Dr. David Schrum, of Tulsa, Okla.; and his only grandchild, Gunnar Taylor. The family will receive friends Saturday, Oct. 1, from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. at Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home & Crematory in Newton. A graveside service will be held Saturday, Oct. 1, at 3 p.m. at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Lenoir, with Rev. Donald Cline officiating. Immediately following the service, a celebration of his life will be held at the Bush Reunion Grounds across the street from Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.