Thomas William Hrdina

Tom was born to Rudolph and Alfrieda Hrdina on December 13, 1949 in Chicago, Illinois, where he grew up and graduated from J. Sterling Morton East High School. After graduating, Tom joined the Air Force where he served for a number of years. During this time, Tom met his wife, Nancy in 1972 at church in Las Vegas, Nevada while serving on assignment at Nellis Air Force Base. They married that same year and went on to have three children, Thomas (Jr), Jennifer, and Melinda. After finally settling down in Las Vegas, Tom worked in the grocery industry for several years until becoming an Elementary School Teacher, his true passion and teaching for the next 15+ years before retiring.

In addition to being a dedicated and loving husband, father, and grandfather, Tom also loved spending time with his family and friends as often as he could. He enjoyed going on family vacations, camping trips in their RV, golfing, shooting, motorcycle riding, reading, playing his guitar, participating and worshipping in the church band, being an avid Cubs fan and watching the Cubs win the World Series and of course, babysitting Charlee with Nana.

Tom also felt strongly about providing service to others. He enjoyed volunteering every year, for the Shriners Golf Tournament in Las Vegas, participating in the Honor Guard at The Veterans Memorial Cemetery, taking church mission trips to Belize (creating a clean water supply for small communities) and Nicaragua (evangelizing the gift of Jesus), as well as sending monthly donations to Wounded Warrior's Project, Shriners Hospitals for Children and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Organizations that were close to his heart: Veterans, Military service, and children.

Throughout his life, Tom strived to serve the Lord and have an unwavering personal relationship with God that grew over the years. He shared his faith with his family and with those who surrounded him, which led to forming life-long friendships with special individuals.

Tom joins his father, Rudolph; mother, Alfrieda; brothers Kenneth and William; father-in-law, Chester and mother-in-law, Thelma in Heaven. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his son, Thomas Jr (Jennie); his daughters, Jennifer (Garry) and Melinda (Lance); grandchildren, Thomas III, Reghan (Lito), Tyler, Andrew, Justice, Madeline, Liberty, Alexander, Jayden and Charlee; sister, Dawn; along with several nieces and nephews.

A private service for the family will be held at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Wounded Warrior's Project in Tom's name.

Isaiah 42:16