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Thomas Doerfler Obituary

Thomas Taylor Doerfler

Cary

Thomas Taylor Doerfler, 71, died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, August 22. He courageously fought cancer for 2 months with his trademark stubbornness and sense of humor.

Tom was born December 29th, 1943 in Ravenna, Ohio. He graduated from Atwater High School in 1961. After serving in the US Army during the Vietnam era, he returned to Kent, Ohio and began his 31-year career with IBM. It was his career with IBM that brought him to Cary, North Carolina in 1980. He retired in 1998. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, John Doerfler and Louise Weeks. He is survived by his three sons, Michael and wife Jennifer, David and Joseph and his three grandchildren, Thomas, Owen and Grace Ellen, all of Raleigh. His is also survived by his former wife Francia of Raleigh, brother John and wife Pat of Mesa, Arizona, brother Jim and wife Jeannette of Streetsboro, Ohio and sister Kathy and husband Thomas Gault of Mt. Vernon, Ohio along with 8 nieces and nephews.

Many folks in Cary will remember Tom from his years of coaching little league baseball and basketball. It was his great joy and passion to pass along his love of sports to his sons and their teammates. Although Tom enjoyed great success as a coach, he was most proud of his adherence to the principal of "teaching the game."

The family will receive friends and well-wishers on Wednesday, August 26 from 5 - 7 p.m. in the home of his son Michael in Raleigh.

The Doerfler family would like to thank Tom's medical team at WakeMed Cary Hospital, especially Dr. Michael Malik, Dr. Sharad Vora, Dr. Mark Graham, and Jessica Johnson. They would also like to thank Dr. Billy Dunlap and the nursing staff of the Oaks at Mayview who cared for him with such patience and kindness during rehabilitation and hospice care.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Transitions LifeCare (formerly Hospice of Wake County), 250 Hospice Cir. Raleigh, NC 27607.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary's St., Raleigh.



Published by The News & Observer from Aug. 24 to Aug. 30, 2015.
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Memories and Condolences
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I am sorry for your loss. May prayer comfort you.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray constantly."

August 27, 2015

Like so many others, I met Tom through Cary baseball and immediately knew he was one of a kind! Warm, funny and incredibly nice. Mike & Jenny, you and your entire family have my thoughts and prayers.

Janet M Britt

August 27, 2015

I had the pleasure of working with Tom more than 20 years ago. I can still remember a 25th anniversary congratulations letter he wrote for one of his colleagues, complete with coffee cup and mustard stain. Quite a character ... someone who lifted the spirits of everyone around him every single day. Reading the posts here brings back some fond memories.

Doug Geiger

August 26, 2015

My sincere prayers and thoughts to Tom's family. I worked with Tom in the early 90's at IBM, and knew him in Cary as well. I would always have fun talking to the big man with the foghorn voice on all sorts of subjects. At IBM, I really think he used to scare customers into doing what he wanted them to do :-) What a personality!! He will be missed, and remembered always.

Andy Deiss

August 26, 2015

To all the Doerfler Family,
I was so sorry to hear of Tom's death as well of his illness. It sounds like he had very good care at Mayveiw. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you. Fran I miss seeing you so much. I wish we could catch up.

Sincerely,

Laura Miller

August 26, 2015

Tom was one of the most 'colorful' characters in a department full of them. I always look back on my days in that group fondly. He will be missed greatly by all who knew him.

Tom Harmon

August 26, 2015

We grew up in Atwater along with his family. Our friendship with Tom continued well into our adult lives. We shared many evenings playing cards with lots of laughter as well as lots of enjoyable evenings over dinner. We will always cherish those moments with Tom. A special person to have as a friend, our sympathy goes out to his entire family he will be missed.

Ron and Pat Briggs

August 25, 2015

I am Sorry to hear of Tom's passing, I will remember him as a man with strong opinions, but with a sense of humor that was friendly and funny!
My sympathy goes out to Michael, David and Joe.

Frank Muratore

August 25, 2015

I had the pleasure of working with Tom when I joined IBM. He was a big man with a big heart that helped everyone he worked with face the challenges in life with a sense of humor. I'll miss you Bom.

Vincent Pedroza

August 25, 2015

I worked with Tom so briefly, so long ago, yet I remember him as clearly as if we just talked yesterday. He was one of those rare people who was so much fun to be around, he was truly memorable. I never knew he coached kids, that's so great! Sincere condolences.

Tom McSweeney

August 24, 2015

Only an insidious foe like cancer could stop the heart of a lion that was Tom Doerfler's. He was a mechanical genius who could master any household or vehicle calamity, but more importantly, he took great pleasure in being able to make everyone else's problems go away. God must have needed a skilled handyman for some celestial refurbishing last Saturday; he got himself a good one.

mary Jo muratore

August 24, 2015

I worked with Tom many years ago - but Tom is one of those people you never forget! He truly was a unique person and would make me laugh - one of the greatest gifts one can give or receive.

The world will be a little less interesting without Tom.

Cathy Harmon

August 24, 2015

Oh my, Tom was so much fun to work with. Good times at work, as well as after he retired. He would take video's of my racing at 'The Rock', and it was always filled with very humorous comedy. Sad news, he will be missed.

Joe Fowler

August 24, 2015

To the family, I am so sorry for your loss. I can remember Tom from the late 50"s when he played ball at good old Atwater High (orange striped Spartan socks and all). It was a more simple time. No Internet, 3 basic channels on TV, with lots of time for impromptu ball games. Tom's infectious style will be missed by us all. His effect on his athletic "students" will be remembered by them forever. May he rest in peace.

Gene Muratore

August 24, 2015

I remember Tom with gladness. He was always willing to help anyone especially with you car.
Since retiring, he continued with his humor by getting all together to meet with "The Retar'ds" at a local eating spot. He is missed.

Doug Flanary

August 24, 2015

I worked with Tom at IBM and relied on his help many times. He was kind, patient, and very funny. He was my favorite mentor. I have thought of him often since we left IBM. so sad to hear the news.

Jacky Woolsey

August 24, 2015

I so enjoyed life at IBM with Tom, He will be missed.

Jonathan Bailey

August 24, 2015

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