Thomas D East

March 29, 1932 - December 11, 2013

Thomas D. East III, 81, passed away December 11, 2013 at The Toledo Hospital. He was born March 29, 1932 to Evelyn and Thomas D. East Jr. in Trinidad, CO. Thomas earned his B.S. at Colorado State College of Education, his Masters Degree from Indiana University and was awarded the Fulbright Scholarship enabling him to study in Darmstadt, Germany for six years, where he was the lead tenor at the Darmstadt Opera House. He taught at the University of Utah for 5 years and was the Director of Opera Studies at the University of Toledo from 1971 until his retirement in 2000. Tom served as the choir director for many churches, including Aldersgate U.M.C, Trilby U.M.C, Hampton Park Church and Sylvania First U.M.C. He was a soloist with the Toledo Opera, the Toledo Symphony and Utah Symphony, Central City Opera in Colorado, and the famed Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Tom was a voracious reader, who enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing, and was a member of the Northwest Ohio Emmaus Community. Tom is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Judith “Doodet”, sons, Thomas D. (Gloria) East IV, Michael C. (Yana) East; step children, Dori Sowle, Robert (Betsy) Ransford, Amy (Lloyd) Allen, Michael (Meg) Ransford; grandchildren, Thomas D. East V, Rosemary (Dan) Boelens, Patrick East, Alex East, Elizabeth Juhnke, Sarah and Willis Sowle, April, Madeline, and Maisy Ransford, Liam, Evan, and Bridget Allen, Timmy O'Rourke; great grandson, Roman Juhnke; brother, Gordon (Janet) East and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Special thanks to the doctors and staff at The Toledo Hospital I.C.U. A memorial service will be held at 11:00am Monday December 16, 2013 at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 4030 Douglas Rd., where friends are invited to visit after 9:00am. Memorial contributions may be made to the Aldersgate United Methodist Church media fun. Arrangement entrusted to Ansberg-West Funeral Directors (419) 472-7633. Condolences may be left online at www.ansberg-west.com