MOUNT VERNON – Thomas Richard Vasbinder, 75, of Mount Vernon, passed away Saturday afternoon, Nov. 14, 2020. He was born on Oct. 26, 1945, in Mount Vernon, to the late Kenneth and Nellie Vasbinder.
Before his health began to decline, Tom proudly worked for Kenyon College Food Service, where he retired in 2012. By that time, he had made many close friends and endeared himself to decades’ worth of students as “Sir Thomas”.
Tom was a man with many interests, including auto racing and classic car shows. He was a long-time member of Pacemakers’ Dragway, partnering with his brother Dave and friend Bruce Clark to race funny cars and dragsters. Tom was also an accomplished photographer who captured many beautiful sunsets and nature scenes. For many years, he was involved with Civil War re-enactments around Ohio. He found it allowed him to be a part of history and honor veterans, for whom he had profound respect.
His fondest memories are of time spent with his family at their cottage on Baptiste Lake in Canada, often reminiscing of adventures out fishing and enjoying his mother’s cooking. Tom also loved recounting stories of the “glory days” of high school and cruising to Beck’s and Clippy’s Drive-Ins.
In later years, declining health kept him homebound, where he discovered a real love of zoo and veterinarian shows and frequently spoke of Dr. Pol and Dr. Oakley the Yukon Vet as old friends. He loved hearing about the animals on his niece’s farm and called them his furry nieces and nephews. He was always in a good mood and brought much cheer to the nursing homes and hospitals where he had spent so much time over the last three years. Tom was a sweet soul who loved people, always curious what everyone was up to and living vicariously through their adventures. To know him was a joy even when he was being stubborn and ornery!
He is survived by his brother, Dave (Dee Allerding) of Mount Vernon; his sister-in-law, Florence Vasbinder of Fredericktown; nieces, Carol Hawkins of North Olmstead, Ohio, Janis Hawkins of Mount Vernon, Diane Walters of Danville and her son, Derek, and Luann (Robert) Davidson of Lewis Center and their children, Winston and Olivia. He will be greatly missed by his niece/nephew and caregivers, Dina and Brad Snow, and their daughters, Braelyn and Brianna.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his sister and brother-in-law, Doris and James Hawkins; his brothers, John and Charles; and his niece, Darby Vasbinder.
Many thanks go out to his dear friends, Rex and Dee Coykendall, Ralph White and Yasuko Singleton, for looking after Tom and keeping in touch with calls and letters.
The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of a brief celebration of life service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21; at the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home, 619 East High St., Mount Vernon; with Pastor Brian Snow officiating. Due to the current health situation, face coverings will be required, and social distancing will be observed.
To share a memory or send the family an expression of sympathy, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
The Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Thomas Richard Vasbinder.