Thomas Jay Stiffler

December 15, 1954 - April 13, 2023

Thomas Stiffler of Coppell, Texas, loving husband, brother, uncle, and friend to many passed away April 13, 2023. He was a fighter until the end but sadly lost the battle. His battle started in 2009 with a stroke, and in 2012 recovered from head and neck cancer which returned in October 2022. The cancer treatments lead to other medical complications in 2023.

Tom was born on December 15, 1954, to Clair and Pearl Louise Stiffler in Lansing, Michigan. He grew up in Holt, Michigan graduating from Holt High School in 1973. Upon graduation, he attended Michigan State and earning a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1979. During his school years, Tom always wanted to be a doctor. He worked during college at a local hospital and realized being a doctor was not the life for him and ended the dream. His Michigan friends still called him “Doc”.

In June 1979, he moved to Dallas to be closer to a friend. His first job was at Frito Lay working in Programmable Controls at their Manufacturing Research plant. In May 1981, he met his wife of 38 years, Carol Cook and four years later, on a cold icy day on February 2, 1985, they were married. He worked at several companies in his career doing automated controls in various areas including baggage handling automation. He would spend months implementing projects traveling to airports across the country.

Tom enjoyed traveling. In his early years, he enjoyed family vacations with his parents and five siblings. In 1964, Tom helped his family build a cabin in Northern Michigan where Tom loved exploring the outdoors, mushroom hunting, and fishing. He was also a proud Boy Scout and took merit in getting different badges. One of his favorites was the Knot Patch Award which he proudly displayed on a board all different types of knots (his brother Dana still has this award). Tom also enjoyed woodworking especially making different types of furniture. He was a 1982 charter member of the Lone Star Skiers which included many ski trips domestically and internationally. He also enjoyed many rafting and canoe trips and cruises throughout the years. He always enjoyed visiting Michigan to see family and friends, in addition to visiting Carol's family in Colorado and Kansas.

Tom leaves behind his wife Carol, sisters Carol (John) Deady and Beverly Saunders, brother Dana (Peg) Stiffler, brother-in-laws Curtis Colwell and Craig (Wendy) Cook, nieces and nephews, extended family, and many friends who loved him dearly. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, brother Gary (Linda) Stiffler and sister Sandy Colwell.

Tom will be remembered for his intelligence because he seemed to know something about everything. He always wanted to know how things worked, loved history, and keeping up with current events. He was patient at explaining things so everyone could understand. He had a dry humor and loved a good joke. We will all miss his smile!

In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated to the American Cancer Society in memory of Tom Stiffler https://donate.cancer.org/ weblink or Checks to American Cancer Society Head and Neck Cancer PO Box 6704 Hagerstown, MD 21741.

A Celebration of Life is going to be Sunday May 21st from 2:00 - 5:00 pm at Ferrari's Italian Villa and Chop House 1200 William D Tate Ave, Grapevine, TX. Please RSVP to Sherri Cook by May 15th 5:00 pm [email protected].