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John "Thomas" Vandergrift ll
1953 - 2017
John "Thomas" Vandergrift ll
1953 - 2017
Obituary
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BORN
1953
DIED
2017
John Vandergrift Obituary
And 11 grandchildren - Brandon, Melissa, Harrison, Brooke, William, Kassi, Breanna, Angie, Nikky (Natalia), Icess, and Tomi-Brielle.
John, familiarly known as Tom, was born in Orlando and raised in Cocoa. He went to Saint Mary's Catholic School and Cocoa High School and received an AA from Brevard Community College. Tom proudly served in the US Army from 1975 to 1978. He was an inspiration and leader for the people he worked with at Danella Construction and then with AT&T where he retired after 35 years; but not before he left his indelible mark on the company with an imaginatively designed and subsequently US patented tool known as the "Welding Jig".
Tom loved to cook and entertain. He enjoyed going to bike week, boating, building with wood, working in the yard, sitting at Port Canaveral and watching the military ships go in and out of the port, and taking long rides with his bride to destinations unknown.
He had an entrepreneurial spirit and was enjoying his latest adventure making beef jerky for his friends. He loved life and often was heard saying, "My life is perfect."
Surely he knows how perfect he made the lives of those that were close to him. He will be greatly missed by his family and many, many friends.
In lieu of flowers and in consideration of Tom's immense pride in America, please make donations to the Veterans Hospital in Viera.
Services will be held at Brevard Memorial Funeral Home in Cocoa.
Viewing Sunday, March 19 at 10 am with the service at 11 am.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Larry and Louise Brock
April 2, 2017
Donna and family,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Tom was a great man and we had such a great time at Larry's retirement dinner before we moved to Tennessee. He will be missed by all who knew him. Our love goes out to you and your family.
Lanny Sutton
March 26, 2017
My condolences to the family! I worked with John and his Dad at Bell South they were some of the best ! You will be missed
Janet Dwyer
March 22, 2017
He was my mentor, and more importantly, my friend! I am so deeply saddened with his passing. Donna, my heart goes out to you and all of your family! He was simply, "the best"!
Jack Jeffreys
March 21, 2017
As I was perusing the Obituaries on the Florida Today website looking for someone else's obit, I saw the obit of one of my old friends whom I grew up with in Cocoa. As we graduated from high school, Tom Vandergrift and I kind of went different directions and lost touch. A lot of us kids hung out at his house on Myrtle Lane when we were growing up and his mom and dad liked having all of us there. Unfortunately, I Just didn't run into him throughout our life as with a lot of other old friends and we just kind of had a short history yet a very important time in our lives. I read that he lost his mother and father as I did, and they were so awesome as was Tom. I grew up thinking they were very rich because they had a swimming pool, and they had a phone in the bathroom.....lol... you see, Mr. V or Big John as he was known, worked for Southern Bell as a supervisor. He had phones all over the house. The memories are warm fuzzies to me. It saddened me today to see it in print. I pray for his lifetime best friend wife that she and their children may find some peace from God by knowing what an impact that Tommy Vandergrift had on those who knew him. He was just a big nice guy. He will be missed..........
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David Zavodny
March 20, 2017
Tom will be missed. He was a good friend full of fun and wit. I am thankful I had the opportunity to know him. My deepest sympathy to the family.
Barbara Coburn Jetton
March 19, 2017
My heart is saddened and prayers for all of the family. He was very loved by many....
Terri Thompson
March 19, 2017
It was a pleasure working with Tom at AT&T. I am going to miss talking with him. I enjoyed hearing from him since his retirement. God's continued blessings to his family.
Janice Saxton
March 19, 2017
I'm so sorry to hear about Tommy. He is my cousin.His dad and my dad Donald were brothers. I lost touch with him after we were grown.He sounds like a good family man and full of fun. I was glad to hear that he hadn't changed. I'm sure you all will miss him very much. God bless you and your family. Janice Vandergrift Saxton
Roger Gibson
March 18, 2017
It has been 47 years since I saw John but it is always a loss when a formal classmate is no longer with us. I'm sorry for your loss.
March 18, 2017
Donna and family,
Harriett and I am so sorry for your loss. If we can do anything, let us know.
Tom & Harriett Weber
Ron Brady
March 17, 2017
Ron and Julia send our thoughts and prayers to the family of our former CHS classmate. Ron has very special memories of the times that Tommy was there to teach him how to avoid seniors during Mark Up Week.
Dreama Taylor
March 17, 2017
You will be missed my friend. Sorry to hear about your passing. Donna lots of love to you Tom was a great friend.
Lou Jorfi
March 17, 2017
Tommy and I sat next to each other on the bus for years on our way to St. Mary's. We spent summers together playing in his pool and winters in my back yard playing football. It was a pleasure seeing him at one of the reunions ( I think the 20th). My heart is sad for a person who made my life just that much happier. My condolences to his family even after many years and many miles of separation I will miss him.
Gary Hoffman
March 17, 2017
Donna and family, our condolences. I owe so much to Tom. Karen and I will miss him. He made us laugh, smile, think and love.
LYM
LaRue Brewer-Fleming
March 17, 2017
Tommy was a dear friend from high school and I have many fond memories of his sweet personality. May your grief be lessened by your wonderful memories. He will be missed by many. God keep you in His arms as you mourn.
Roger Golden
March 16, 2017
Sorry to hear Tom' s passing. I remember when you first met each other . Prayers your way at this time for you and family. May he rest in peace. Roger Golden
Todd and Wanda Bibens
March 16, 2017
We are so sad about losing Tom and our sympathies go out to Donna, kids, grandkids and family. His passing was so unexpected and way too soon! Tom always put a smile on our faces and will be terribly missed. He will be in our hearts forever.
Lora Anderson
March 16, 2017
I worked with Tom at BellSouth many years ago in Melbourne and Cocoa. Always had a smile on his face and an encouraging word. Prayers go out to all his family.
Debbie James
March 16, 2017
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Tom always had a great attitude and he was an inspiration to me and others. When I think of him I smile.
Fuentes Family
March 16, 2017
Our deepest condolences to the Buckley family. We know he will be truly missed. It was a pleasure to have known him, may he rest in peace.
Paula Worlitz
March 15, 2017
Donna, words don't describe how sorry we are about Tom. He was such a wonderful man and he so loved you!! He will be missed very much by all. He left such a lasting impression on everyone and we are so lucky to have known him. Sending love and prayers to you and the entire family!! Love Bud and Paula
Patsy and Bo Galloway
March 15, 2017
Our love and sympathy to Tom's loved ones! I know how Donna and the children loved him! He really left footprints on this earth and roamed it with the best of the best! Love you all!
Gary Eveslage
March 15, 2017
My condolences to your family. Tom was a good friend, we served together in the Army in Homestead.
Dudley Brown
March 15, 2017
Tom was a great friend and a true mentor to so many here at AT&T, including me. I know how proud and loving he was with his close family, you truly meant the world to him. He will be missed by so many, my deepest condolences.
Dudley Brown
March 15, 2017
We are so very sorry for you loss, Rudy and I knew Tom a very long time he also grew up in my neighborhood on Myrtle Lane ins Cocoa, I can still visualize him playing in yard and everyone else's yards, God Bless and sending prayers. Geri and Rudy Reynolds <3 <3
Brenda Correa
March 15, 2017
Prayers for the family. Tom was a great person to work with. He was always in good spirits and had a contagious smile.
Eileen Sidders
March 15, 2017
My condolences to your family. Tom was my area manager at AT&T and I had the pleasure of working with him before he retired. He will be missed by many at AT&T including myself. I will always have special memories of the time we worked together.
I will keep your family in my prayers.
March 15, 2017
My prayers are with you- I will always remember Tom with a large spirit and huge smile and best laugh. my condolences. Carlos
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5475 North US Highway 1, Cocoa, FL 32927
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