Thomas M. Wilson Obituary

Thomas M. Wilson attended Zanesville High School in Zanesville, OH. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Thomas M. Wilson.

Graduation Year	Class of 1968
Date of Passing	Mar 05, 2022
About	Thomas "Tom" Michael Wilson, 71, of Cookeville, TN passed away on March 5, 2022. Survived by his wife of 43 years, Linda; daughter Michelle (Jolin) of Madison, WI; brother Ken (Christy) of Zanesville, OH; sister-in-law Nikki Johnson of Gahanna, OH; sister and brother-in-law Susan Lightle (Bob) of Johnstown, OH; his adopted Cookeville family, Sammy Key, Patty Masters, Hillary and Rich Froning (Lakelyn, Trice, and Violet), and Ali and Austin Auld (Indy and Akar). Also survived by a host of nieces and nephews, and his sweet but dimwitted bulldog, Gus. Preceded in death by his daughter, Samantha; sister, Sandee; and parents, Kenneth and Jane. Tom was a good-natured but ornery cuss, born in Zanesville, Ohio. He was a Marine from 1968-72 who served his country in 3rd Force Recon and 3rd Marine Division during the Vietnam War. He later worked as a computer programmer back when computers took up entire rooms and ran on punch cards (yes, literally). He started out at Columbia Gas, which is where he met his wife, Linda, who was assigned to train him when he started. She did her best. Tom subsequently wrangled computers at the Ohio State University and for the State of Ohio. Tom was a good husband, father, grandfather, and friend who was always quick with a smile and a joke. He could be counted on to stick up for his fellow veterans, as he did when he served as president of the Ohio chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America. He could also be counted on to stick carrots up his nose at a fancy restaurant. Tom lived life to the fullest, whether he was golfing, riding his motorcycle, spending time in the woods, or falling asleep in front of the TV. He was the type of person who faced down his fear of heights by learning to fly a plane and going skydiving. An avid reader, he always had a book going and a crossword by his side, which he would fill out in red pen. He also enjoyed shooting (photographs and guns) and playing dominoes with his friends. Tom maintained deep friendships with his buddies from the Marine Corps for the rest of his life and continued to go camping with them every year. Tom and Linda loved traveling and their most memorable trips included the Galapagos Islands, Egypt, New Zealand, and Australia. Their good friends Tim and Arlene Shea became their traveling companions on trips to the British Isles, Alaska, the Danube River cruise, and the Rocky Mountaineer Railroad through Canada. Tom won't make their upcoming planned trip to Iceland, but said he'd checked everything off his bucket list and was dying a lucky and happy man. May we all feel that way. Semper Fi. Family will receive friends on Sunday, March 20, 2022 from 2-5 pm at Schoedinger Northeast Funeral Home, 1051 E Johnstown Rd, Gahanna, Ohio. A funeral service will take place on Monday, March 21, 2022 at 11am with military honors at the funeral home. Rev. James Long officiating. A memorial will be held in Cookeville, TN at a later date.