Thomas Edward Keefe

Thomas was a loving husband to Linda for nearly 58 years and an amazing father to 3 kids, Melissa (David) Basham, Charles (Chuck) Keefe and Katie (Keefe) Allen.

Then his grandkids came along filling his life with even more joy and love than he could ever imagine. He was an extraordinary Papal to Jordyn (Layne) Gibson, Aidan and Avery Allen, & bonus grandkids: Stacey (Jason) and Addy Anderson.

Tom graduated from Eastmoor High School in 1966 where he won a State Wrestling Championship. Tom also proudly served in the Army National Guard. Although Tom was never called or deployed to Vietnam, he has always said, “If called, I would have proudly served my country in war.”

Prior to entering the Army National Guard he was at his brother’s wedding, where he saw Linda from across the room and told others, “I’m gonna marry that girl.” They laughed and said, “shouldn’t you go talk to her first”?

That is how “Tom met Linda” and they lived happily ever after.

Tom grew up an avid hunter, fisherman, sheet metal worker and coach. He spent his career at Owens Corning Technical Center in Granville retiring in 2013.

Everyone who knows Tom has, at one time or another, been given the shirt off his back. He would do anything and everything to help others.

He was a great friend to all, especially Jack and Donna Cousins, the Ketzmiers, and the Holmans. Additionally, Sheri Jernigan was like a third daughter to Tom.

Eric “Boomer” and Wendy Collins, and the Peffers, the Walwraths, the Cochrans, and the Ghilonis, along with so many others from his Owens Corning family.

He has always cherished his Buckeye Lake crew: the Estes, Jones, and Fisher families, and many other friends at the lake. He spent over 20 summers entertaining his kids, grandkids, and buddies on his pontoon boat and wave runner.

For the last 54+ years Tom lived in his dream home on Woodside Dr., not only where he raised his family, but became family with his awesome neighbors. (Oh, how much fun you had if you attended his parties on Woodside Dr.!)

He was a very caring family man and dearly loved his sisters-in-law, Connie (Joe) Petitti, and Judy Damiani, and brother-in-law Victor (Dorothy) Lanch. Many nieces and nephews: Greg Petitti, Mario (Theresa) Damiani, Gabriela (Tony) Brazley, Angela McDowell, Brian (Bridgette) Keefe, Michelle (Adam) Wright, Michael Wilson, and Kim Fields. Many great-nieces and great-nephews. So many more loving relatives in his extended Irish/Italian family!

Tom is preceded in death by his beloved son, Chuck, his parents, his brother Mike Keefe, sisters Patricia Wilson, and Molly Reynolds. Sister-in-law Karen Keefe. His nephew Donald Petitti. And good friend, Mike Savino.

Tom leaves behind his legacy of love, friendship, leadership and work ethic. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. We are all smiling with the comfort in knowing that Tom and Chuck are having a beautiful reunion in Heaven!

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to The Muscular Dystrophy Association (https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.mda.org__;!!M2D_dUfSiN4E!PY_InKxcxAqQfL4GXAnqz8JKTH2oOWhgzVO5tuKb1uH0lL3HdCJq6Q8uyKhVUOUAJR-Lu2aBG_slE_qpAnZ9abdlV7ZFs6-S$[mda[.]org]), the organization that Tom and his family hold very close their hearts.

A memorial service for Tom will be held Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Kauber-Fraley Funeral Home, 289 S. Main Street, Pataskala, Ohio 43062, with a funeral service at 1:00 PM, and reception to follow.