Everett E. TomEverett E. Tom went to be with our Lord and Savior and rejoin his son Kevin R. Tom on Feb. 6, 2022.
Everett was born on July 23, 1928, in Leesburg, to Everett E. Tom Sr. and Violet Fisher Tom. On Dec. 6, 1953, he was married to Marie Eby in Syracuse. Everett’s twin sister, Evelyn (Charles) Adams, survives along with his sister, Peggy “Jo Jo” Sheler. Everett and Marie had five children: Ambassador Kip Tom, of Leesburg; Kevin Tom, who predeceased him in September 1973; Melinda (Russ) Woda, of Powell, Ohio; Melissa (Ray) Gerber, of Milford; and Melodie (Scott) Thompson, of Delaware, Ohio.
Everett and Marie share 13 grandchildren: Kip’s children: Kandi (Mark) Dunwiddie, Kassandra (Greg) Rowland, Kyle (Angie) Tom, Kristopher Tom and Kaitlyn (Jon) Fussle; Melinda’s children: Rachael Gale, of Powell, Ohio; Elyse Woda, of Yakima, Wash.; and Daniel Woda, of Seattle, Wash.; Melissa’s children: Megan (Steve) Burns, of New Paris; Ashley (Adam) Armstrong, of Warsaw; Kourtney (Josh) VanCleave, of Goshen; Justin (Katie) Gerber, of Syracuse; and Jessica (Chaz) Scherer, of Nappanee; Melodie’s children: Allie Thompson, of Columbus, Ohio; and Chapman Thompson, of Columbus, Ohio. Everett and Marie also share 26 great-grandchildren: Peyton, Kendall, Reagan, Reese, Keegan, Kamden, Kameron, Savannah, Norah, Thomas, Emilia, Everett, Ava, Nolan, Molly, Addison, Avery, Annabelle, Olivia, Maxwell, Brooklyn, Emma, Bayne, Bohdan, Corbin and Cameron. He was preceded in death by his siblings: Betty Shissler, Ann Noel and Frank Tom.
Everett began his life on Harper Road just north of Leesburg, growing up on the Tom family farm and close to New Salem Church where he was a member. It was this same farm where Everett and Marie raised their five children and where he worked his entire life up and until his final days. Everett often said the most important crop he and Marie would ever produce is the next generation, instilling in them the values that were most important for the future. He would recite Proverbs, “Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Everett believed that it is your responsibility as parents to teach your children good values and principles, to teach them about God and how much He loves them, to teach them that honesty is the best policy and to teach them the Golden Rule: Treat others as you want to be treated.
Everett was known for his efforts in founding Tom Farms, scaling the family business and even being a part of international businesses. Everett also started Everett Tom Show Cattle and so enjoyed seeing and raising his new calves each year. In addition, Everett had a passion for youth in 4-H and their beef projects. He loved his time spent in the barn with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved nothing more than watching them work their 4-H animals. Even in his 90s, he was still mentoring and impacting young people. He has given opportunities to many young people over the years by gifting them a steer or heifer to raise and show. Everett was known and respected across the U.S. for his quality Beef Cattle Breeding Stock.
Everett and Marie enjoyed traveling together, including seeing the sights in South America, North America and Europe. Their last trip was to Rome, Italy, with two of their daughters to see their son, Kip, who was serving as a U.S. ambassador, meet the Pope, tour the United States embassy and enjoy many excursions in and around Rome.
In addition to his involvement with 4-H, Everett was active in the North Webster Church of God, a former long-term member of Living Gospel Church in Nappanee and spent many years supporting the gifting of Bibles through Gideon’s International organization. He was also involved with the American Chianina Association (for which he served as president), National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Indiana Beef Cattle Association (for which he was honored with Cattleman of the Year) and locally in The Kosciusko County Cattlemen.
But most important for Everett was his family – Everett loved spending time with his family. His family will forever cherish the time that they had with him and the love with which he blessed them.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 10 at the Church of God, 302 N. Main St., North Webster. The service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 11 also at the Church of God in North Webster. Owen Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St., Syracuse, is in charge of arrangements.
Preferred memorials may be given to the Wawasee Camp of Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 101, Syracuse, IN 46567; or Three Strands medical relief work, P.O. Box 753, Winona Lake, IN 46590 or go to www.three-strands.org to donate online.
To send condolences to the family of Everett Tom, please visit www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.com.
