Thomas Wilson

Thomas “Tom” Michael Wilson, 71, of Cookeville, TN. June 4, 1950 - March 5, 2022. Survived by his wife of 42 years, Linda; daughter, Michelle (Jolin); and brother, Ken (Christy); sister-in-law, Nikki Johnson; sister-in-law Susan Lightle (Bob); his adopted Cookeville family, Patty Masters, Hillary and Rich Froning (Lakelyn, Trice, and Violet), and Ali and Austin Auld (Indy and Akar). Also survived by a host of nieces and nephews, and his sweet but dimwitted bulldog, Gus. Preceded in death by his daughter, Samantha; sister, Sandee; and parents, Kenneth and Jane. Tom was a good-natured but ornery cuss, born in Zanesville, Ohio. He was a Marine who served his country in 3rd Force Recon and 3rd Marine Division during the Vietnam War. He later worked as a computer programmer back when computers took up entire rooms and ran on punch cards (yes, literally). He started out at Columbia Gas, which is where he met his wife, Linda, who was assigned to train him when he started. She did her best. Tom subsequently wrangled computers at the Ohio State University and for the State of Ohio. Tom was a good husband, father, and friend who was always quick with a smile and a joke. He could be counted on to stick up for his fellow veterans, as he did when he served as president of the Ohio chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America. He could also be counted on to stick carrots up his nose at a fancy restaurant. Tom lived life to the fullest, whether he was golfing, riding his motorcycle, spending time in the woods, or falling asleep in front of the TV. He was the type of person who faced down his fear of heights by learning to fly a plane and going skydiving (not at the same time). An avid reader, he always had a book going and a crossword by his side, which he would fill out in red pen. He also enjoyed shooting (photographs and guns) and playing dominoes with his friends. Tom maintained deep friendships with his buddies from the Marine Corps for the rest of his life and continued to go camping with them every year. Tom and Linda loved traveling together, and their most memorable trips included the Galapagos Islands, Egypt, the British Isles, New Zealand, and Australia. He won’t make their upcoming planned trip to Iceland, but said he’d checked everything off his bucket list and was dying a lucky and happy man. May we all be so lucky. Semper Fi. Funeral arrangements being made at Schoedinger Funeral Home in Gahanna, Ohio. A memorial will be held in Cookeville at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Tunnel To Towers Foundation (www.t2t.org) or Avalon Hospice (1080 Neal St #300, Cookeville, TN 38501).