Tom was born in Franklin and was a lifelong resident of Sussex County. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, and golf. He attended Franklin High School, where he was an all-county baseball player in 1948 and 1949. He won the county batting title in the semi-pro New Jersey Baseball League in 1950 and also played on the Idaho State championship baseball team. He attended Seton Hall University for two years before enlisting in the Air Force. There he was a proud member of the 45th Bombardier Squad from 1952 to 1956 and was awarded the Good Conduct medal and the National Defense Service medal. After graduating from East Stroudsburg State Teachers’ College, attending graduate school at Paterson and Montclair State Colleges, and teaching physical education at the Hopatcong School, Tom was appointed as Hopatcong’s first Athletic Director in 1968. Tom also became the President of the Newton Mat Club in 1970. Tom was a proud coach of the Newton High School girls basketball team from 1998-2008, compiling over 150 wins, including the advancement to the State finals in 2002 and 2003. Shortly after retiring as the Recreation Director for the Town of Newton, a youth baseball field was named Trudgeon Field in his honor. In 2015, he was inducted into the Sussex County Sports Hall of Fame. Tom is predeceased by his wife, Dorothy, and his brothers, Edward and Frederick. He is survived by his sister, June Trudgeon Emery; his loving sons, Thomas Jr. and Tim; grandchildren, Sarah, Kasey, Tyler, Heather, Kaitlin, and Emma; and great-grandchildren, Jack, Kara, Lily, and Sidney. He will be greatly missed. Friends and loved ones may call Friday, July 27, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Goble Funeral Home, 22 Main St., Sparta. A private burial will be held the following day. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s.
