Thomas Earl Greenlee

Thomas (Tom) E. Greenlee, 74, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away on February 27, 2026.

Tom was born in Harvard, Illinois, to Henry and Dorothy Greenlee. He spent much of his working life as a contractor, known for being skilled with his hands and proud of doing things the right way. Later, he worked at Walt Disney World—a job the family lovingly referred to as his "retirement job"—before retiring.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, Henry Greenlee; his sister, Sharon Walker; and his brother, Mark Greenlee. He is survived by his mother, Dorothy Greenlee; his brother, Rick Greenlee; and his wife of more than 47 years, Bobbie Jean Greenlee. He is also survived by his sons, Thomas Greenlee (Theresa) and Michael Greenlee (Justine). He was a proud grandfather to Zoe and Aiden Greenlee, and Chloe and Benjamin Greenlee. Tom also leaves behind many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.

A kind and soft-spoken man with a uniquely dry sense of humor, Tom had a steady presence that made people feel comfortable and cared for. He found joy in woodworking, especially carving wooden bowls and whittling wooden spoons, and he loved cooking in his outdoor kitchen. He also enjoyed visiting with neighbors and taking time to appreciate the simple, everyday moments. Above all, Tom deeply loved his children and grandchildren and always looked forward to time spent together.

Tom's greatest legacy lives on through what he taught his family—how to show up, how to work hard, and how to take care of the people you love. His son Thomas shared that Tom taught them how to be men in countless ways, from changing a tire to swinging a hammer. His son Michael shared that he always strived to be like his dad—kind, generous, and creative—and that because of Tom, he learned how to fix, build, repair, and do whatever it takes to care for his own family.

Tom will be deeply missed.