Edward Tomon Sr's Obituary
On Tuesday, January 24, 2017 Edward Tomon Sr. went home to be with his Lord and Savior leaving behind a large, loving family. Born July 30, 1934 in Cleveland, Ohio, Ed showed initiative from an early age while working as a Printing Apprentice at Wirtshafter's Inc. during high school. Anxious to see the world, Ed joined the Marine Corps in August 1951 and was sent to North Carolina for boot camp. With time at Camp LeJeune and Parris Island, he served in the Korean War and earned a Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation for his exemplary service. After an honorable discharge in July 1954, Ed returned to work at the American Greetings factory as a repair mechanic.
It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Rose Mary Herald. In October 1954, Rose and Ed both attended a dance at a community center in Clevelandi. When Ed saw Rose standing near the wall alone he asked, "Why aren't you dancing?" To which, she replied, "No one has asked." That night, the beautiful 17 year-old Rose Herald danced into a Marine's life and changed it forever. Ed and Rose fell in love and eloped in February. Ten months later, in December, Edward Jr. was born, followed by Evelyn in 1959, and Patricia in 1962. 2017 marks the 62nd anniversary of their marriage.
Ever so proud of his professional accomplishments, Ed was a chemist specializing in print and ink. He formulated the famous "Marlboro Red" as well as numerous other iconic color recipes and grandchildren have described how Ed would mix up batches of glow-in-the-dark paint, nail polish, and his own automotive fluids. After working with Borden's Chemical Inc. for many years, Ed's skills were in high demand and he accepted positions in many different states while advancing himself professionally. Later in his career, he was a highly skilled and sought after specialist in his trade. By the time he was ready to retire, he was without equal. In 1997, he and Rose settled in Leesburg, Virginia, and moved to Lakeland, Florida in 2001.
A world traveler, Ed had visited numerous countries while a Marine, and together with Rose had cruised the Caribbean many times. With a curious mind and a carefree heart, Ed found joy cruising Hawaii in a red convertible, a draft beer, or meeting a fellow Marine wherever he went.
Ed was a walking encyclopedia of unique trivia and information. He was never shy to give his opinion, advice, or tell a joke, his quick wit and temperament made his impish humor a delightful addition to any social gathering.
Proud of his Polish heritage, Ed was the president of the Polish-American Society in Richmond, VA, and was chairperson of one of the largest pierogi festivals in the state. He loved Rose’s homemade cabbage rolls and haluski. Also a connoisseur of potato chips and hard pretzels, he could snack with the best of them. No tin of popcorn ever bested him.
Whether it was the first brick cellphone, Betamax, a video camcorder, VCR, or numerous big screen televisions, he was always on the cutting edge of the electronic world. Ed was an avid movie watcher, an interest that he loved to "share" with others.
Ed Tomon was the best husband, father, grandpa, brother-in-law, and great-grandpa his family and friends could ever have. From now on, a chance whiff of Calvin Klein Obsession--Ed’s signature scent for over 20 years--will be a sweet reminder of the precious memories he created.
He is survived by his wife Rose; three children, Edward and Michele Tomon, Evelyn and Robert Burchfield, and Patricia and Richard Wilmoth; eleven grandchildren, Joshua and Laura Tomon, Jessica Tyree, Jaime and Sean Gorten, Jennifer and Ernie Shine, Robert and Jessica Burchfield, Carrie and Robert Wright, Erin Burchfield, Timothy Burchfield, Christopher Wilmoth, Anthony Wilmoth, and Richard Wilmoth; and thirteen great-grandchildren, Peyton, Atalie, Ramsey, and Phineas Gorten, Isabella and Violet Shine, Dylan and Greyson Tyree, Georgia and Dianne Wright, and Olivia, Scarlett, and Gage Wilmoth.
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