Kenneth Justin Tolman

1968 - 2018

Kenneth Justin Tolman

Wilmington - Kenneth Justin Tolman (also known as Tom), died on June 17, surrounded by loving family members, after a valiant year-long struggle with esophageal cancer.

He was born in Wilmington, Delaware on August 17, 1968, graduated from Concord High School in 1986, and received a BS from the University of Virginia in 1990, and a Masters in Computer Science from the University of Utah in 1993.

As a young boy, he bought a computer and it was the beginning of a lifelong love of programming and playing games. Tom enjoyed writing, playing board games, and spending time with his family - especially playing with his children. He had a great career in computer software development. He created video games, sport computer graphics, and in his last 11 years loved working at SAS in North Carolina. He recently won the CEO of Excellence award at SAS.

"Under God's Trees"

When the storm has come and left nothing,

Come into the forest and rest,

You will find solace,

Under his trees.

When the cold wind blows across your soul,

Lay aside your pride and pray,

You will find comfort,

Under his trees.

And when joy has returned with wonder,

Come to the forest with others,

Your joy can be shared,

Under his trees.

by Tom Tolman

He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Elizabeth, and his children Sarah, Peter, and Alexander; his parents Chad and Ann Tolman; his sisters Alison Tolman-Rogers and Susan Tolman (Jared Bronski); his wife's parents Herbert and Dorothy Ely, his brothers-in-law Paul (Sharlyn Thacker), David (Katherine), Matthew (Suzanne) and 8 nieces and nephews.

A service will be held in Durham, NC. In lieu of flowers, donations in support of esophageal cancer may be made to Cancer Research Institute, Web Donation, 29 Broadway, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10006-3111.