Thomas Dawson Ender

Thomas Dawson Ender, 76, went to be with our Lord on January 29, 2026. He was born on July 12, 1949, in Louisville, KY, to Margaret (nee: Dawson) and Philip Ender.

Tom graduated from Bishop David High School in 1967. He went on to attend Bellarmine University, where he worked on the grounds crew while he achieved his bachelor's in accounting. He started working with the Department of Juvenile Justice as a probation officer. He was instrumental in starting the police ride-along program, the drug rehabilitation program, and group counseling program. He achieved his master's in social development at University of Louisville while he was working. He moved on to become the best Supervisor for the Department of Juvenile Justice (as named by his team) and would often comment that he had the best team of workers that there ever was. He enlisted in the Army Reserves and served until he retired as a Master Sergeant. Tom enjoyed working with children, vacationing with his family, cooking, playing rounds of golf with his friends, and winning a few dollars at poker. He volunteered at St. Paul's with the Men's Club and fried the chicken for the picnic for years. He also volunteered with the Scouts Adventure Camp for years at Camp Crooked Creek, teaching special needs and at-risk children how to fish. The joys of his life were his girls, and nothing made him happier than being surrounded by his wife and daughters. In his last 10 years, Tom spent the majority of his time helping raise his two grandkids.

He is survived by his beautiful wife of 52 years, Karen Exely Ender, his girls, Jessica Ender, Laura Lamb (his favorite son-in-law, Michael), Sara Ender, and Tricia Ender, his wonderful grandchildren, Layla and Thomas Lamb, as well as his beloved sister Sue Gentner (Albert), his brother, Bob Ender (Cheryl) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends. He loved to share a bag of popcorn with his grandpup, Ollie.

Visitation will be on Monday, February 2, 2026, from 2-8pm at Owen Funeral Home, 5317 Dixie Hwy. The Celebration of Life will be held February 3, 2026, at noon, also at Owen Funeral Home with burial to follow at St. Michael Cemetery.

Expressions of Sympathy should be made to the Home of the Innocents.