Kearns Sr., Thomas

Thomas “Tom” Raymond Kearns, Sr., 84, of Port Clinton, OH, died on January 7, 2021 at Stein Hospice Care Center in Sandusky, OH. He was born on July 21, 1936 in Columbus, OH to Thomas and Dorothy (Davidson) Kearns. Tom attended Brecksville High School in Cleveland, OH where he graduated in 1954. He graduated from The Ohio State University with his bachelor degree in Industrial Engineering in 1959. During his time at Ohio State he began two lifelong love affairs; one with the love of his life, Katherine Merle Grace Kearns and the other, with the Buckeyes. Tom and

Merle married shortly after his graduation in 1959. Tom had a long and successful career at Robbins

& Myers in Springfield,

retiring after more than 35 years with the company. Tom and Merle spent their retirement years at their condo on Lake Erie where they enjoyed many outings with friends and visits from their children and grandchildren. In retirement, Tom spent many days and weeks retracing the Union Army’s movements through the south, visiting each battlefield along the way. Tom

never missed a chance to try his hand at a daily Wall Street Journal crossword puzzle, have an afternoon

cigar, or enjoy a martini (or two) at cocktail hour. Tom also enjoyed gardening, genealogy, and oil painting. Tom was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He will be truly missed by his four sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas and Kelly of Scenery Hill, PA, Michael and Karen of Columbus, OH, Tim and Dee of Russia, OH and Matthew of Portland, OR. Memories of kid soup, M&M’S on the

Christmas train, sleepovers on the boat, and pretzel cigars will be cherished by his nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He is

survived by one brother, Jack and Biruta Kearns of Casper, WY; and sister-inlaw, Mary Jo Kearns of Valley Falls, KA. He is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved Merle, sister Judith Kearns Meyers of Wilmington, OH and brother Terrance Kearns of Valley Falls, KA. In the future, when travel is safer, the family is planning to gather friends in a reception to celebrate his life. The date and time will be announced well in advance. If you wish to remember Tom, the family is suggesting donations to the Hospice Foundation of America, 1707 L Street NW, Suite 220, Washington, DC 20036 or Donate@hospicefoundation.org. Arrangements are entrusted to the David F. Koch Funeral and Cremation Services, 520 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, OH. Your memories and words of comfort may be shared with Tom’s family at davidfkoch.com.