Thomas Bertram Koons

Born on May 24, 1940, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Thomas was the son of Mary Mahan and Hiram B. Koons. He graduated from Bishop McDevitt High School and continued his education at Villanova University and Manhattan College, where he earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees.

On September 14, 1968, Thomas married the love of his life, Pauline Kastelic. Their enduring partnership was a foundation of strength, love, and shared purpose that lasted throughout Thomas’s life.

A dedicated civil engineer, Thomas worked for the State of Pennsylvania before continuing his work with the Southwest Florida Water Management District and later the City of Tampa Water Department, where he ultimately retired. He was a proud member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and his work contributed meaningfully to the infrastructure and well-being of the Tampa Bay region.

Beyond his professional life, Thomas was an avid reader and fisherman, and he took great joy in collecting baseball cards and watching sports. He approached life with dedication and a quiet but deep passion for the people he loved. Above all, he was guided by a strong faith and a deep love for the Lord, which shaped his character and the way he cared for others.

Thomas is survived by his beloved wife, Pauline Koons; his children, Michelle A. Erisman (John), Jill M. Gore (Michael), David A. Koons, and Jonathan E. Koons (Tomoko); grandchildren John Chandler Erisman Jr. and Kyle Edward Erisman; and siblings Gerald Koons (Barbara), Martha Detweiler (Jack), Anne Forman, and John Koons.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Jerome Catholic Church in Largo, Florida. A graveside service will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Serenity Gardens Memorial Park, with a reception at the funeral home immediately afterward.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Thomas’s honor to the Glioblastoma Foundation: https://glioblastomafoundation.org/get-involved/donate.

Though he is gone, the life he built and the love he shared will continue to inspire all who knew him.