Thomas Edward Gravlin

GRAVLIN, Thomas, passed away on May 31, 2013 after a long battle with cancer. Thomas was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Nov. 3, 1945, as the only child to Lillie Adele Thompson and Emerson Noble Gravlin. He spent most of his early life living in Locust Valley, Long Island where he attended St. Paul’s Prep School in Garden City. He then went on to earn his B.A. in English from Wilmington College where he met his soon-to-be wife Jean Ann Murphy of Wilmington. Tom and Jean were married in Wilmington on December 20th 1969. Following graduation, Tom moved back to Long Island where he started a long and successful career as a marketing executive for the Shell Oil Company. During his 35 year career with Shell, Tom was the recipient of numerous awards, eventually serving as a regional manager for several districts throughout the U.S. including New York, Florida, Texas, New Jersey and eventually Ohio. After retiring from Shell in 2002, Tom and his wife traveled extensively, visiting friends and family throughout the United States as well as China, Australia, Europe and the Caribbean. Tom was a trustee for Wilmington College and a very active member of Southminster Presbyterian church in Centerville. He enjoyed playing golf with his friends and doing his taxes. He is survived by his wife Jean, son Tom Gravlin and his wife Amy of Columbus, Ohio, daughter Susan Lynch and her husband Kyle of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and four grand-daughters, Evelyn 8, Roxanne 6, Emerson 6, and Ava Mae 1 1/2. Tom Gravlin lived for his wife and family and always supported them no matter what it took. He will be missed, always. Friends may call from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at Southminster Presbyterian Church, 7001 Far Hills Ave., Centerville, Ohio 45459, with a Celebration of Tom’s Life at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Eric Pasanchin officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Pikes Peak, 610 Abbott Lane, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80905 or www.hsppr.org. Arrangements in care of TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME – FAR HILLS CHAPEL. Condolences may be made to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com