Dr. Thomas H. Wells

Tom Wells died peacefully on April 7, 2013 at the age of 90 in Croton, Ohio at the farm house in which he was raised. As a child, Tom lived on the farm with his parents, F. Harold and Giorgia (Hixson) Wells, together with his three brothers Charles, Robert and Joseph and after Tom's retirement from government service, Tom and Betty returned to the Wells Farm to live. His family's history in Ohio began with his great-great-great grandfather, Israel Wells, who was a member of the first party of Europeans to settle in Central Ohio. Israel arrived in Granville in 1805 to claim the 100 acres granted to him as a Revolutionary War veteran.

As a teen, Tom Wells and his classmates at the Harford School enjoyed a bit of celebrity. He was part of the Class of 1940 (all 19 of them) who took their senior class trip to Washington, DC, and Life Magazine covered the trip with a lengthy photo essay.

It was in Westerville that Tom met Betty Orr, where they were both attending Otterbein College. Tom was a country boy from Croton and Betty was from the big city of Cleveland, but they were a true match and remained partners in life for an amazing 67 years. It was the end of an epic life journey together when Betty passed away in 2011. Tom and Betty had four children: Judith (Baker), Marilee (Kushner), Timothy and James. They also took endless joy in their grandchildren: Julie, Zarah, Erin, Christopher, Emily, Zachary, and the newest addition to the family, great-grandchild, Tobias.

Tom Wells pushed through his undergraduate education and medical school in six years because there was an urgent need for physicians in the military during World War II. As a young doctor, he served in the Army stateside and on troop ships ferrying American soldiers over to Britain. When the war was over, Tom began a private practice in Ohio. With three young children (and the fourth on the way) Tom and Betty moved to Arlington, Virginia where Tom worked for the Veterans’ Administration in Washington, DC. He was ultimately appointed by President Eisenhower to serve on the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.

Tom was a skilled physician, an accomplished writer and a sharp intellect. In his later years, he loved to apply his intellect to devising jokes and puns, which he gleefully inflicted upon his children and grandchildren (which they--in turn--happily received even if they did not admit it to Tom for fear of encouraging him). He was known to all his grandkids as “GG” or “Grumpy Grandpa” but everyone was in on this joke because Tom was never grumpy: maybe feisty, but not grumpy. Tom Wells led a full and honorable life. He had a quiet appreciation for the simple joys along the way. To all who were fortunate to know him, he always had warm smile, a kind word, or a lively joke. The unconditional love he had for family and friends will always be remembered.

A memorial will be held for Tom Wells at Croton United Methodist Church on Sunday April 21, 2013 at 2:00pm. Family and friends are welcome to attend. The church is located at 75 N. High Street in Croton, Ohio 43013.