Tom Dryden, 84, of Winter Haven, Florida, died on February 5, 2022. He passed away peacefully at home in the early morning with his wife at his side. He was born on June 18, 1937, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and lived in Bardstown, Kentucky, until moving to Winter Haven with his mother as a young child.
Tom graduated from Winter Haven High School in the class of 1954 at the age of 16. He attended Florida College of Medical Technology in Miami and returned to begin a 48+ year career at Winter Haven Hospital. He married his high school sweetheart, Louise "Noonie" Mitchell and welcomed their first child in 1957. He worked full time, and attended night classes at Florida Southern College while raising 4 children, graduating in 1963 with a BS in Biology and Chemistry. In his spare time he coached baseball with his close friend, Wayne Martin, never coaching his own sons to ensure their collective success and enjoyment in the sport. Over the years he served as VP of the Blue Devil Booster Club, Building Chair of Trinity Methodist Church, and member of Sertoma Club. More recently as a member of Winter Haven Kiwanis he chaired the Child One Priority group providing books and reading to pre-school children.
Tom enjoyed his work as a Medical Technologist, Lab Supervisor, and Lab Manager, retiring in 2004 as Winter Haven Hospital's Manager of Quality Improvement. He thoroughly enjoyed his work in healthcare and participated in Clinical Laboratory and Hospital Quality Improvement organizations.
In retirement, Tom continued collecting antiques, a hobby his wife, Jo Ann, and he enjoyed together. Many pieces, mainly particular kinds of glass and oak furniture, both big and small were found and shipped from all parts of the country, as he invested his time in gaining expert knowledge on all he collected. Researching his family genealogy back to the Revolutionary War was a passion of his, as he spent many hours amassing a huge amount of information.
Tom also served as a substitute teacher for several years, and enjoyed the middle-school history classes most.
Tom loved many genres of music especially early folk, country, and jazz. One special memory is the time he waited in line in 1990 for 3 days and nights outside of Spec's Music Store for Paul McCartney concert tickets. He was able to snag tickets on the 13th row, a true labor of love for Jo Ann.
He was fond of traveling, especially when it involved attending grandsons' Navy football games, sometimes planning a trip with one game on Friday night in Orlando followed by an afternoon game the next day in Annapolis. In these latter years, he and his wife checked off bucket list trips to Spain, Portugal, Slovenia, Bermuda, Alaska, and "Out West".
Tom was known by all as being a "cut up," able to bring light to any situation, always telling jokes or funny stories to keep everyone laughing. He was very proud of, and happiest when spending time with, his children and grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents, Lillian "Mundy" and Ray Dryden, and in 2019, by his cherished half-brother, Sam.
He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Jo Ann, four children: Thomas (Lili) Dryden, Fort Myers; Marc (Debbie) Dryden, Orlando; Sandra (Dennis) Polumbo, Winter Haven, Brenda (Mustafa) Al-Mutawa, Lakeland; 2 step-children: James (Jill) Giles, Naples, FL; Joy (Rex) Marin, Vicenza, Italy; 16 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
The family will receive friends immediately after the service.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to WEDU PBS (1300 North Blvd, Tampa, FL 33607-5699 - www.wedu.org), Meals on Wheels (620 6th St, Winter Haven, FL 33881), or St. Alban's Episcopal Church for Pantry Shelf (PO Box 1125, Auburndale, FL 33823).
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