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Thomas DEGER Obituary
86, of Fairborn, Ohio, born October 6, 1934, passed away at Hospice of Dayton, August 14, 2021. He is preceded in death by his son, Tim Deger, his dad, Charles Deger, his mom, Mary Louise Deger, sisters, Pat Hartkopf, and Joanne Feigl.
Tom was a loving husband, brother, father and grandfather. He was married to his gal, Shirley, for 64 years. They met at the University of Dayton and were married at Immaculate Conception Church in Dayton, Ohio, in 1957. They had three children: Ted, Tim and Tracy, and three grandchildren: Laura Murray Merzbacher, Lindsey Murray, and Joe Deger.
After serving in the Army, Tom taught school at St. Albert the Great and Kettering Schools as a 5th grade teacher for 32 years. He was also employed with the Kroger Company in the produce department for 36 years. Other than teaching school, Tom made a difference in this world by organizing an intramural program at Greenmont Elementary, coaching youth basketball and softball in Kettering, and tutoring students in math after retirement. He led these activities and helped children for many extra years.
Tom loved taking care of his grandchildren, holding them when they were young, taking them to gymnastics and ballet classes and by following them throughout their sports through college.
Tom followed college and professional sports, especially the Cincinnati Reds and the University of Dayton Flyers basketball team, (#1) always.
Tom volunteered for many years at Corner Cupboard joining in the camaraderie in his early years.
Tom was passionate about his faith. He honored the Lord with his positive interactions with people, by attending Immaculate Conception Church and by keeping prayer an important part of his daily life.
Visitation will be from 10 A.M. till 11 A.M. at Immaculate Conception Church prior to the mass. The funeral mass begins at 11 A.M. Friday, August 20 at Immaculate Conception Church, 2300 S. Smithville Road, Dayton, Ohio, led by Father Satish
Joseph. After the service, Tom will be buried at Calvary
Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to either Corner Cupboard Charities of Greater Dayton, 504 Xenia Avenue, Dayton, OH 45440 https://corner-cupboard-charities-of-greater-dayton or the Blessing of 10 at Immaculate Conception Church, 2300 S. Smithville Road, Dayton, OH 45420.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas DEGER
Rebecca
June 19, 2024
David Menke
August 31, 2021
I had him as a teacher in 5th Grade at Greenmont Elementary! He was a great teacher and cared about his students. Prayers for the family.
Gary Gillespie
August 20, 2021
I'm so sad to hear of Tom's passing! For years (since the 60's) I lived in the same neighborhood as Tom, Shirley and family! The last 30 plus years we lived on the same street. I worked with Tom in the produce department at the Kroger on Smithville Road store. I worked there a couple times over the years with Kroger and Tom was there all that time at the store. Tom was very gung-ho in his work and in his sports enthusiasm. He loved his Reds and his UD Flyers and lived for his girl´s baseball team, the legendary "Tom Boys" that he managed and coached for many years. He was always talking some type of sports or promoting sales in our Kroger Produce department!
I'll always remember him in the backroom with his apron on and him processing massive amounts of produce (usually listening to some type of sporting event on the radio) for us to cover the next day´s sales. Enthusiasm was never lacking on Tom's part! He was very "gung-ho"!
I used to stop and talk with him every so often when I passed his house on my way in or out. It was always good to hash over old times with Tom. Eventually I saw him less and less after he retired from both jobs. The last time I saw Tom was when they had a house fire and he was outside with Shirley and Ted. I helped cover him from the wind and rain while waiting on the firemen to do their job. I told him that I worked with him at Kroger, but he no longer remembered me. But I'll always remember "Tommy" and his great spirit and enthusiasm!
Tom loved his family, his professions, all the kids he worked with at school and in sports and life in general. I'm sure Tom will keep them hopping in heaven.
My sincere condolences to Shirley, Ted, Tracy and Grandchildren as well as all his friends.
Take care Tom, I'll miss you!
Kathy Dawicke Ballmann
August 19, 2021
So sorry for your loss. I remember being at your house for"ironing day". Mom would gather us up with the clean laundry and we would make the short trip over to your house. I often saw Mr. Deger working at Kroger. Certainly a great example of a hardworking family man. You are all in my prayers
Karen Kemper Manzo
August 19, 2021
I was sorry to read Mr Deger's obituary. I remember him well from Greenmont and the intramural program. My prayers are with his family.
Don and Barb Zeh
August 19, 2021
So very sorry to hear about Tom´s passing. He was such a special fellow. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Deger family.
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