Thomas Lee Ohl was the first-born child of Delmar Eldon Ohl and Marlys (Storelee) Ohl. He came into the world in Fresno, California on January 31, 1948. Shortly after his second birthday, he was stricken with Polio. The damage to his legs was severe, but after 14 years under the care of the Shriner’s hospital, he was able to lead a nearly normal life. Tom attended many schools, but graduated from Woodland High School in Woodland, CA in 1966. While in high school, he was president of the Future Farmers of America, participated in the Methodist Youth Fellowship, and worked at his father’s tire shop.
Tom always had a love of learning. He graduated from the University of California, Riverside, with a major in economics. At the time, he thought that a law career was in his future, but circumstances led him to become an educator instead. During his first teaching assignment in Hesperia, CA, he met a fellow teacher that turned out to be the love-of-his-life, Janice Marie Stewart. They were married in 1973, and just a few years later, a sense of adventure took them to Susanville, CA. While living there, both of their children were born. First came Cameron Lee in 1976 and then Cambria Marie in 1978. A short time later, the family moved near Minden, Nevada where Tom and his dad started the Ohl & Sons Trucking Company.
The early 1980’s found Tom and Janice looking for yet another adventure. Fortunately, their brother-in-law, John Hardy, was able to offer Tom a job with John Hancock in the beautiful town of Ventura, CA. Tom held many jobs as a young man (disc jockey, lifeguard, swim coach, truck driver, saw filer), but being a financial planner became his career. He represented the company for 32 years and often used his educator skills to teach his clients about the available products. Many of his clients remained friends, even after seven years of his retirement.
Tom and Janice continued their sense of adventure into retirement, by traveling in their Airstream trailer. After moving to Sun City West in Arizona, they became very active in the RV Club of SCW. Within the club, they made many friends that shared their spirit of adventure. At the time of Tom’s passing, he was the Vice-President of Caravans for the club.
Unfortunately, cancer took Tom’s life, much too soon, on March 26, 2020 at age 72. His caring heart, winsome smile, strong hugs, and gentle manner will be sincerely missed by many. Tom is survived by his wife Janice, two children: Cameron Ohl (Laurissa) and Cambria Holt (Jay), and eight grandchildren: Andrew, Sarah, Laura, Avery, Carter, Zachary, Leeanna and Rebecca. Also surviving are his two brothers: Stephen and David, as well as his sister, Janet Hardy.
Tom made the following observation just days before he left this earthly world,
“I came into the world during the Polio virus, and I’ll be leaving during the Corona virus.”
A Celebration of Tom’s Life will be held when the current health crisis is over.
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