Thomas Forrest Tufts

Thomas was born in Wayland, KY in 1938. He was the youngest of six children. He grew up in Elkhorn City, Kentucky, where his father worked as a coal miner. As a teenager, his family moved to Columbus, OH, where he finished high school at Columbus East. After graduation, he attended Anderson College, where he met Jean Rae Yerden, whom he later married on September 13,1958.

Pastor Tom served as senior pastor of the Westwood Church of God, Kalamazoo, MI, for 25 years (1975-1999). In retirement, he and his wife Jean also pastored the church at Camp Inn located in Lake Wales, FL, and completed their calling in ministry at the Plant City First Church of God in Plant City, FL.

Pastor Tom’s interest always centered around his family and the church. He enjoyed golfing with friends and family, working in his yard, traveling in his motorhome, and singing in various groups, including “The Singing Tufts” family that traveled throughout the Midwest in the early 1970s.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, George and Amanda (Whitaker) Tufts; Sisters Winona (Fitzpatrick), Neldora (Blankenship), brothers Donald Tufts, and Frank (Eddie) Tufts.

Pastor Tom is survived by his wife Jean (Yerden) of 67 years, of Lakeland, FL. He is also survived by his two sons, Dr. Tom (Sherry) Tufts, of Lakeland, FL, and Tim (Sherry) Tufts of Kalamazoo, MI; 4 grandchildren; Victoria (Daniel) George of Lakeland, FL; Thomas III (Alyssa) Tufts of Lakeland, FL; Tyler (Monica) Tufts of Paw Paw, MI; Haylie (Andrew) Ropp of Eielson AFB, AK; 4 Great-Grandchildren Lucas Salome-Tufts, Liam George, and Lorelai George, and Thomas IV of Lakeland, FL.

Also surviving are his sister, Betty Sue Castle of Columbus, OH, along with several nieces and nephews.

If you had the privilege of meeting Tom, you would have liked him. If you listened to him speak, you would have experienced his warmth, his deep insight, and his love for the truth of the scriptures. If you spent time with him, you discovered his hidden sense of intelligent and clever humor. He loved to laugh and found joy in encouraging others. Every day, he was truly motivated by the grace shown to him by Jesus Christ, which compelled his compassion for people and his commitment to sharing the life-changing message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The way you can honor his life and ministry is to commit your life to following Jesus so you can share eternity one day with him in Heaven.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Plant City Church of God: DONATE HERE

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/pastor-tom-tufts-memorial-fund

A “Celebration of Life!” for Pastor Tom will take place on Sunday, March 29 th , 2026, 10:30 am at the Plant City First Church of God, 601 North Gordon Street, Plant City, Florida, 33563

(www.plantcitychurch.org for directions).