Thomas M. Hollern, Sr.

Thomas M. Hollern, Sr. passed away peacefully in hospice care on Sunday, April 19, surrounded by love and comfort, and was called home to be with the Lord. He leaves behind a lifetime of memories, laughter, and love, and now rests in the promise of eternal peace.

A native of Columbus, Ohio, Tom later sought the sunshine of Florida to further his education. He attended Saint Leo College and earned his associate’s degree, then completed his bachelor’s degree at Florida State University and his master’s degree at the University of Kentucky. He taught at Virginia Tech before returning to central Ohio to raise his children in a nonsense Midwest tradition. In civil service, Tom was well regarded for helping the State of Ohio turn around failing schools. After a one day retirement from the State of Ohio, he moved back to Florida, where he filled various civil service roles and proudly served the taxpayers of North Florida.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Ann Caskey Hollern; his oldest son, Thomas M. Hollern Jr. (Tommy), and daughter-in-law, Karen; his daughter, Erin Pickard, and son-in-law, Matthew Pickard (“the Sailor”); and his youngest son, Matthew P. Hollern, and daughter-in-law, Kendra Hollern.

His greatest earthly joy and lasting legacy are his grandchildren: Brianna, Elizabeth Pickard, Connor Shay Pickard, Joseph Thomas Hollern, Adalay Annmarie Hollern, and Mattie Ashby Hollern.

To his family, Tom was the steady center of every gathering, a gentle presence marked by wisdom, humor, and unconditional love. He believed deeply in showing up for the people God placed in his life, and he lived his faith through action, instilling integrity, responsibility, and perseverance in his children. He was known for his love of family, American politics, golf, Scottish terriers, and various spaniel breeds.

A lifelong learner and teacher at heart, Tom viewed education and public service as callings—ways to serve God and neighbor alike. He was, perhaps, the greatest Florida State University fan of all. And while politics was both a hobby and an obsession, it was his sense of humor—infectious and unmistakably his—that friends and family remember most.

Tom traveled the world, marveling at God’s creation wherever he went, but felt especially connected to his vacation home in Cashiers, North Carolina—a place of rest and reflection. Internationally, he was drawn to the west coast of Ireland, the land of his ancestors, where heritage and faith felt deeply intertwined. While living in Worthington, Ohio, Tom earned the nickname “the Governor”, inspired by his insistence on wearing suspenders to work and his resemblance to Governor Huey P. Long. Though he held many professional roles over his lifetime, his proudest and most meaningful roles were those of husband, father, and grandfather—roles he approached with humility, devotion, and a servant’s heart.

Tom will be remembered for his humor, kindness, and the way he made everyone feel welcome. Friends and family often remarked that he carried an innocence, decency, and sense of fairness reminiscent of Jimmy Stewart’s George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life. He believed in doing the right thing, giving people the benefit of the doubt, and trusting that goodness matters.

Though his absence leaves a space that cannot be filled, his faith assures those who loved him that this goodbye is not the end. As Scripture tells us, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Tom’s spirit, example, and love will continue to guide his family until the day they are reunited.

In honoring Tom’s life, may we carry forward the values he lived and taught every day: work hard, love one another deeply, walk in faith, and greet the world with warmth and good humor. We mourn his passing, but we rejoice in the hope of resurrection and give thanks to God for the years we were blessed to share. His legacy lives on in our stories, traditions, and love.

To our Dad… “May the road rise up to meet you. May the Lord hold you in the palm of His hand. May you be met with light, warmth, and easy journeys."