Thomas Ervin Kimmel

Thomas Ervin Kimmel, 82, passed away on March 6, 2024, at his home in Wadsworth, Ohio.
Tom was born June 15, 1942, in Canton, Ohio. He spent his early years on the West Coast, including Grants Pass and Gold Beach, Oregon, and Prosser, Washington, before returning with his family to settle in Wadsworth, Ohio.
Tom was a gifted and passionate athlete. He broke Wadsworth High School's previous record for shot-put, throwing 48 feet 3 inches, beating the previous record holder, himself. His extraordinary talent in football earned him the starting running back spot and team captain of the Grizzlies. His skills earned him the MVP Award in 1960 and a full football scholarship to the University of Cincinnati.
After university, Tom settled down with his young wife and three children in Wadsworth, Ohio. He spent his professional life as a computer programmer at Schrader Bellows and then Akron General, from which he happily retired in 2006.
Aside from his athletic pursuits in high school, Tom was a talented golfer, incredible swimmer, excellent bowler, ruthless card player, and capable pickleball opponent. Many days of the week, he could be found on an elliptical machine at the Wadsworth YMCA or strolling at Walmart to get in those extra steps.
Tom enjoyed watching sports-he was an avid Ohio State and Cavs fan, but his heart belonged to the Cleveland Indians. He also loved Will Shortz crossword puzzles, the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, and worrying incessantly about his grown children's money-spending habits.
Tom is survived and deeply loved by his three grown children- Mike, Tom, and Kristine. Tom's oldest son Mike and his partner Amanda are particularly grateful for the many dinners and visits they had with Tom in his later years. Tom Jr. feels fortunate for the regular phone conversations and lunches they could enjoy together when he was in town. Kristine and her husband Sven feel lucky for the trips they had with Tom, from yurt camping in the Sequoias, where Tom jumped off a high boulder into a frigid-temperature swimming hole, to snorkeling in Hawaii, where Tom dove headfirst down a slide straight into the depths of the Pacific Sea. Tom was a loving grandfather to his grandkids, Alex and Benjamin, showing deep interest in their lives and being a caring and consistent presence.
In addition to his three children, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren survive Tom. We will miss him deeply, but we are comforted that he is no longer in pain.
Tom's family will receive friends and extended family from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 13, at the Hilliard-Rospert Funeral Home, 174 N. Lyman St., Wadsworth.
Instead of flowers, please donate to the and tell your dad you love him.