Thomas Floyd Lehman

EATON — Surrounded by family, Thomas Floyd Lehman lost a long and courageous battle with prostate cancer on April 21, 2024.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Faye (Haben) Lehman; his sister Pat Lesher and twin sister Carolyn Laird; his daughter Jennifer Ellen Vernon; and father- and mother-in-law John and Beulah (Davidson) Maggard.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 59 years, Barbara (Maggard) Lehman; daughter Michelle (Bruce) Frank of Crystal Lake, Illinois; son Daren (Sherri) Lehman of Ostrander, Ohio; granddaughter Hannah Frank (Jareth) Florez of Holland, Michigan; and grandsons Sean (Elizabeth) Frank of Fredricksburg, Virginia; Daniel Frank of Crystal Lake, Illinois; Cord Lehman of Ostrander; and Luke Vernon of New Paris.

Tom was a 1957 graduate of Northridge High School in Dayton. After graduating, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He trained for the Navy in Chicago and became a SeaBee. He talked often of his world travels and building projects from his days in the Navy, and was a "Shellback," an unofficial designation for one who has crossed the equator. Tom was retired from Parker Hannifin. He was a Sunday school teacher for many years at First Church of God in Eaton. He loved the Lord and spreading His word and helping others learn about Him. Always one to putter about, keep busy, and express his creativity, he took up woodworking in retirement and built several pieces of furniture. When he could no longer work in his woodshop, he started leather working and writing. He loved to fish and enjoyed any opportunity he had to grab a pole and spend an afternoon in the sun with Daren and his grandsons. His last three years were spent on a property with a stocked pond, and you could find him there fishing from a golf cart from time to time. In 2023, he bought a 1930 Model A Ford, and spent many days in the garage with Daren and Cord working on it. He was a member of the Central Ohio Model A Club, and drove the Model A in the Ostrander Fourth of July parade last year. He loved nothing more than having family and friends visit and sitting around a large table having a wonderful meal prepared by his wife, visiting with everyone who had gathered. He loved Barbara's cooking, and the care she put into preparing a meal.

The way Barbara and Michelle tended to him in his final days was angelic. He will be missed by all who loved him, but we know we will be reunited in Heaven one day.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 24, from 5-8 p.m., at the Gard Funeral Home, 226 W. Main Street, Eaton. Funeral service for Thomas will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 25, at the Eaton First Church of God, 601 East Lexington Road, Eaton, with Pastor Jerry Reynolds and Pastor Aaron Holman officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in West Alexandria.

Online condolences and other remembrances may be sent by visiting www.gardfuneralhome.com.