Thomas Andrew Grama, 73, of Venice, FL, formerly of Newark, OH, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, December 30th, 2021, surrounded by his family at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Venice.
Tom was born January 24th, 1948, in Willard, OH. He graduated from Willard High School in 1966, then proudly served in The United States Army during the Vietnam War, from 1967-1969, where he earned the rank of Sergeant.
Tom was born January 24, 1948 in Willard, OH. He graduated from Willard High School in 1966, then proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, from 1967-1969, where he earned the rank of Sergeant.
Tom was first and foremost a hard working family man. He started working at a young age at Laslea’s Grocery and B&O Railroad. He worked at The Newark Air Force Base for 29 years, and then The Boeing Company for 17 years. He retired in 2015, proudly serving 46 years for the Department of Defense. Tom loved spending time outdoors and being a handyman. He could “Turkify” (fix) anything! He was an avid Ohio State Buckeye fan and loved all sports. He especially loved watching his grandchildren excel at every sport and academics. Tom enjoyed retirement life in Venice. He loved fishing with his grandsons, shark tooth hunting, volleyball in the pool, getting together with the “beach gang”, and playing cards.
Tom is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Rhonda (Yacob) Grama, daughters Melissa (Kevin) Nelson of Pataskala, Ohio, Amber Grama, and Heather (Lincoln) Shreve of Sarasota, FL. He was a fun, loving devoted “Pawpaw Turk” to three grandchildren, Jarah (Alex) Nelson, Ariana Nelson, Eli Shreve and his beloved cat, LuLu. Also surviving, sisters, Barb (John) Feltner, and Jayne Dellinger of Willard, OH, brother-in-law Larry Heydinger of New Washington, OH, nine nieces and six nephews. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Thomas, and Dolores (Henry) Grama, father and mother-in-law, George and Joyce Yacob and sister-in-law, Sheron Heydinger.
A celebration of life for Tom will be held at a later date at Kays-Ponger and Uselton Funeral Home and Cremation Services. In addition, a Full Military Service will be held at Sarasota National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers a memorial contribution may be made to Wounded Warrior Project.