John Thomas Gwin

John Thomas Gwin, age 75, of Port Charlotte, FL passed away on February 20th, 2025. He was born in Grand Rapids, MI.

John (Tom) was born on February 8th, 1950 in Grand Rapids, MI to John H. Gwin and Mary (Dehaan) Gwin. He grew up in Caledonia, MI. He went on to receive a degree in Mathematics from Michigan Technical University in Houghton,MI. He returned to the Grand Rapids area for several years before raising his family in Lima, OH where he worked for General Dynamics as an engineer building the M1A1 tank. He moved to Toledo, OH in 1996 to work as an engineer for Chrysler where he stayed until retiring in 2013. Upon retirement, he and his wife Joan moved to Port Charlotte, FL

Tom was dedicated to his career and was well loved by co-workers. He had a love for sports and throughout his life played softball, basketball, volleyball, wallyball, and many other activities. He loved his family, loved life, loved fun, and loved people. Tom was always ready to tell a good story or play a prank to make people laugh. Tom was also regularly involved in a local church throughout his life.

Tom was a very present father, grandfather, and foster dad. Throughout his life he was actively involved in raising children and giving them a place of fun, safety, and guidance. He is also described as “my favorite uncle” by many nieces and nephews.

Tom is survived by his wife of 28 years, Joan Gwin, his sisters Kathy, Pat (Alan), and Sandie (Vince), his children Kevin (Lisa) and Jeff (Annie), his grandchildren Lexi, Shayna (Jimmie), Joshua, Matthew, Brayden, and Olivia, four great-grandchildren, and other cousins, nieces, and nephews. Tom and Joan also fostered fifteen children over seven years who are each significant to him.

Tom will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but his legacy will live on in how he impacted each of us.

In lieu flowers, please consider a gift in Tom’s honor to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) which was a cause that he supported.

“We do not grieve as those who have no hope”