Thomas Earl Barco

Thomas Earl Barco, age 72, of West Salem, Ohio, passed away on December 26, 2024. He was born to Willard H. and Louise (Briggs) Barco on November 19,1952 in Lakewood, Ohio. Tom had talents in many areas and took pride in his work. He worked in the family's greenhouse and garden center, Liberty Gardens, in many roles and for many years. He drove truck over the road and locally, and he was the Trucking Terminal Manager at Dillon Transport. It wasn't until retirement that he found his calling driving a school bus for the Cloverleaf School District and making sure each of the kids had a friend getting them safely to school.
Tom loved the freedom of the open road and enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson with friends to Daytona Bike Week in Florida each year. He even made it out to Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota in 2015. He loved going to the dirt track races, both locally and throughout the United States. Tom loved spending time with his family and was always the first to say yes to any soccer game, sporting event, or family get together. He was a kindhearted and generous man who would drop everything to help friends and family with whatever the need may be.
Tom is survived by his son, Chad Barco (Tanja); his grandchildren, Charley, Hunter, and Finn Barco; his siblings, Daniel Barco (Susan), Jane Ellsworth (Ned), Robert Barco (Kathy, and Kenneth Barco (Kathleen); extended family including Ryan Sweeney (Heidi), Roni Rico (Aaron), Tracy Toth (David) and families; numerous nieces and nephews; and a lifetime of collected friends.
Family will receive friends on Friday, January 3, 2025, from 2:00 to 4: 00 p.m. at Waite Funeral Home, 765 N. Court St., Medina, OH 44256, with a prayer at 4:00 p.m.
Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.waitefuneralhome.com.