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Thomas Tollifson Obituary

TOLLIFSON Thomas Gerald "Jerry" Tollifson, age 86, passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at St. Ann's Hospital in Westerville, OH. He was born February 4, 1925 in Austin, MN. He retired from the Ohio State Department of Education in the position of State Visual Arts Consultant for 28 years. He was proud to graduate from Albert Lea High School in 1943, from the University of Minnesota with his BA Degree and The Ohio State University with his MA and PHD. He was a much loved teacher through his career. His accomplishments and group affiliations included: Founder of the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education. Jerry founded the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education in 1974 with Dr. Richard Shoup. Jerry has been a Board member of the organization since 1974. Steering Committee Member for the Ohio Arts Education Assessment Project of the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education, Steering Committee Member for the Status of Arts Education in Ohio Schools Report of the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education. Winner of the 2000 Governor's Award for the Arts in Ohio, presented by the Ohio Arts Council and Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation. Board Member of the Ohio Art Education Association Founder of the Jerry Tollifson Art Criticism Open, Ohio Art Education Association. Winner of the 2010 WOSU ArtZine contest. State juror for the Ohio PTA Reflections program for children in grades K-12. Advisory Board of Directors' Member for the Ohio Governor's Youth Art Exhibition. Jerry was also presented with the Distinguished Service Within the Profession Award from the National Art Education Association in 1990, and the National Supervision/Administration Art Educator Award, from the National Art Education Association in 1995. Jerry was a member of the First Community Church and associated book club, Torch Club, Columbus Museum of Art, and OhioArt League. Jerry wrote many articles and books on Art Education throughout his career as well. He also served in the United States Army during WWII and contributed to several groups for veterans of the war. He was an avid Buckeye Fan. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents Virgil, Sr. and Lucille, Jeannine his wife of 50 years, his sisters Dorothy Walker and Virginia Stevens, niece Ann Stevens, and brother-in-law John Dill, Sr. He is survived by his brother, Virgil (Patricia) Tollifson, Jr.; his brothers-in-law, Harold Walker and William Stevens, Sr.; his sisters-in-law, Joyce Stumpf and Judy Dill; his nephews, Thomas (Kellie) Tollifson, Rick (Lori) Walker, William (Esther) Stevens, Jr., Bret (Sunny) Stumpf, Brian Stumpf, and John Dill, Jr.; his nieces, Pamela (Ben) Gardner, Alison (Carl) Nelson, and Kim Dill; his great nephew, Seth Stumpf; his great niece, Ashley (Frank) Lemak; and his great great nephew, Lex Lemak. He will be missed greatly by his friends and family, and his ability to discuss anything and everything will be remembered with great love. Friends may call from 4-7 p.m., Monday, January 2, 2012 at the SCHOEDINGER WORTHINGTON CHAPEL, 6699 N. High St., where the funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, January 3, 2012. Reverend David Hett officiating. Interment at Riverside Cemetery. To share a favorite memory of Jerry, please visit www.schoedinger.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Columbus Dispatch from Dec. 30 to Dec. 31, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
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6 Entries

Gloria Brinkman

September 5, 2012

I was thinking of Jerry today as my students in Charlotte NC were writing about art. So sorry to hear of his passing. He inspired more creative lives than he could ever have known.

Mary Stokrocki

March 14, 2012

So sorry to lose such a kind and fun guy! Never forget that Jerry was so good to new lonely professors --especially when I came to Ohio to teach in 1982. His funny video--What is a Art Curriculum For Anyway? was a hit in my art class for over 20 years. Dr. Mary Stokrocki, Arizona State University

Christie Thomas

January 2, 2012

My sincere condolences to all of Jerry's Family and Friends. He was a true joy to know! And while I am very sad at his passing, I have many fun and fond memories of Jerry and his great sense of humor and love of life and culture! (I wonder if Jerry would consider that a paradox...? I wonder, Jerry).
Thanks for being a great friend. Your memory and art will live on!

January 1, 2012

Jerry was the personification of a gentleman and a scholar. His presence at dinner following a "Torch Talk" was both entertaining and educational. He will be missed by all of his friends at Torch.
George L. Smith, Past President, Torch Club of Columbus

Nina Young

December 31, 2011

I was so lucky to meet and have wonderful talks with Jerry about the arts and art education before he died. He was a wonderful conversationalist and greatly creative man. He will be missed.

Connie Foster

December 31, 2011

I am very sad to hear of Jerry's passing. I have known him for many years through book discussions at First Community Church. I am a special education teacher and Jerry came into my classroom several times to help my students illustrate a book that they wrote. I enjoyed visits to his A frame art studio to see his neon sculptures. Indeed, Jerry was an extremely interesting, energetic, youthful, sincere person who will be missed by many. His neon light will continue to shine and inspire those who knew him.

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