ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Alex “The Catman” McPherson, nicknamed for his inseparable bond with his late cat, Thomas, was a regular, friendly presence on the streets of Asheville.

A prominent member of the Asheville community, early reports on social media say that McPherson passed away in a tragic accident Tuesday, June 10, on Patton Avenue after he was struck and killed by a vehicle. The Asheville Police Department has not yet confirmed that the victim was McPherson pending the notification of next of kin.

McPherson had a reputation for kindness and gratitude. He had a calm demeanor and a distinctive craggy voice, and those who encountered him were always in for a warm greeting, a story and the sight of Thomas perched in his psittacine spot on McPherson’s shoulder.

The Catman had endured previous hardships in Asheville. In May 2021, McPherson and Thomas survived an encounter with Scott Everett Ford near the Enka/Candler exit on Interstate 40, where Ford attempted to run the duo over with a white pickup truck. Ford was later convicted of felony animal cruelty, felony obstruction of justice and misdemeanor simple assault.

Following McPherson’s death, 828newsNOW reached out to those who have encountered him over the years and asked them to share their stories. Here are a few of Asheville’s fondest memories of The Catman:

“The first time I met Alex I had just moved to the area. He was at the Petsmart on Tunnel Road with Thomas. I love animals and I’m srawn [sic] to those that love animals despite their own circumstances. Alex was kind, funny and sweet. I bought him some food and some for Thomas as well. Over the years I’d see them and I loved catching up with him. My heart broke when his life was threatened by that driver a few years back, when Thomas passed, and I was saddened to hear that we lost Alex recently. I’m not a person of faith, but if there is something beyond what we know, I hope he’s in a good place.” – jrodri1077

“I met Alex a few times over the years, starting at the beginning of the Pandemic. I would always give him a few bucks to help with whatever he and Thomas (his late cat, from the picture) needed.

“After the failed attempted murder by Scott Everett Ford, which catapulted AVL and Alex to national attention, I made a point to look out for him more. At one meeting, not long after, I gave him a keychain tag, reading ‘Not all who wander are lost.’

“I hadn’t seen him around in my travels for a long time, after Thomas was lost and passed, after a group of anti-homeless agitators assaulted him while he was parked with Thomas at the Ingles on Long Shoals, in Arden, and that was still some time ago.

“I will miss him. He was a caring Cat-Dad, and a Veteran of the US Navy, a fellow Shipmate by service, trying to get by in a world too cruel and callous, without harming anyone.” – AT2 Knowles, Joshua Evan, USN 2001-2006

“I met Alex one time because I was working at a gas station on Charlotte Street. And I met his pretty kitty Thomas as well. Alex didn’t have much money but he was in a van with a bunch of other people. And whoever those people were that were in the van left him at the gas station. I remember being freezing outside so I bought him a cup of coffee.” – Anonymous member of the Asheville Cat Weirdos Facebook group

“I met and spoke wtih Alex many times and am glad to have given him some sustenance on June 4 (and over the past few years was able to get him food, bevs, sleeping bags, rolling suitcase, clothing, etc. because of generous folks who donate to a grassroots plant based Food and Clothing drive of which I am part). The night he was killied [sic], I coincidentally was heading west on Patton minutes after he was struck. May his memory be a blessing ❤.” – Joe Gerard

May Thomas and The Catman rest in peace.