"Oh, Tommy Sue..... I just can't believe you're gone! All the fun times we had as kids, such good memories! Dear family, I pray for all of you. Becky, I love You! Vince and "
In loving memory of
Thomas S. Fey
November 12, 1953 - April 9, 2018
Kind, caring, and a man with a great sense of humor are just a few ways to describe Thomas S. Fey. He was always there to help any of his family members out when they needed it, donated blood whenever he could and even helped the can food drives with the local schools to help his community out. His sense of humor could get you laughing at any time and he may have been known to be ornery a time or two, but he always did it out of love.
Many memorable events took place in 1953 with the end of the Korean War and Queen Elizabeth II being crowned queen of England at the top of the world list. The first Polio vaccine was developed, the first James Bond novel was published, the New York Yankees won their fifth World Series in a row, the first Corvette car went on sale, transistor radios started to appear for sale and the first color television sets were sold on average of over $1,000 a set. For John and Darlene (Bradshaw) Fey, at the top of their list was the announcement of the birth of their son, Thomas S. Fey on November 12, 1953 as he was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
He was the second born in a family of eight children overall. Tom grew up on Shriner Lake and as boy he enjoyed swimming, playing ice hockey, hunting and building models. While attending Columbia City Joint High School, he also went to Fort Wayne Vocational Center to advance his automotive skills of more than tinkering around with small engines. In high school he was a mechanic for a Chrysler dealership in Fort Wayne. During this time, Tom would meet the girl of his dreams. He was blessed to meet JoAnne Gipe, who was best friends of his sister, Rebecca.
After graduating in 1972, he and JoAnne would marry on June 2, 1973 and over the years welcomed four children, Brian, Miranda, Benjamin and Desirée. Tom held a few jobs to support his family as being a mechanic, including working for Harvester. By 1985, he became the founder and owner of Shriner Lake Marine. There he was known as "the wizard" as Tom could fix and get any engine running that was brought to him. He retired after 35 years with Zollner Pistons, he owned Tom Fey Cleaning Company and in January of 2018, he started working as a manager at Three Rivers Cleaning.
While he owned Shriner Lake Marine, he would take his family down to Florida for Christmas. In his spare time, Tom found relaxation in the outdoors and the lake. He enjoyed hunting, boating, slalom skiing, and tinkering around with engines. Out of anything though, Tom loved being with his family. Things will never be the same for his family after the morning of Monday, April 9, 2018 when he passed away unexpectedly at his home.
Survivors include his wife of 44 years, JoAnne Fey; children, Miranda Fey, of Columbia City, Ben Fey, of Churubusco and Desirée (Kaleb Simmons) Fey, of Columbia City; sisters, Kathy Marker, of Fort Wayne, Rebecca Fey, of Port Charlotte, Fla. and Beth (Jeff) Huntine, of Fort Wayne; brothers, Kevin (Tina) Beazell, of Columbia City, Brad (Rhonda) Beazell, of Avilla, Danny (Jessica)Fey, of Wolcottville and Ralph Beazell, of Fort Wayne; and three grandchildren, Kaleb Howell, Devin Howell and Layla Foster. He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Brian Scott Fey in 1996.
Visitation is 2-8 p.m. Thursday, April 12, 2018 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with visitation starting at 9 a.m. Certified Funeral Celebrant Sharon Brockhaus will be officiating. Burial will follow at St. Matthew's Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest beside his son. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory toward his final expenses, I.C. O. DeMoney-Grimes. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send his family condolences online.
Tributes
"Dear members of the Fey family, ,Please know that I care and send love and sympathy to all. I ehjoyed having you in 7th and 8rh grades at Thorncreek I am in a facility called The Heritage of Ft Wayne on Heritage Parkway ...5250. I pray that the love of friends will give you comfort and God will grant you Peace Loving;y sent, Frances Stuckey Brown;"
"Tom was a excellent father, co worker and friend. He will be missed. "
"So very sorry for the loss of your loved one"
"JoAnne and family, So sorry for your loss. Sending heartfelt sympathy to all. I spent a lot of fun, carefree days growing up with the Fey and Beazell family. Those memories will be with me ad treasured forever. Love to you, Melodye and Bob"
"So sorry to hear of Toms passing. He was such a kind man and enjoyed talking to him when he came to the accounting dept to clean. He will be missed! May god give you peace and comfort Jen Jackson Kelley Automotive Group "
"JoAnne and family, my prayers to all of you. I pray you will feel the loving, comforting arms of God wrapped around each of you."
"When I met Tom i didn?t t realize that I was in an interview for my first job. I was 14 and the 13 years that followed would be some of the best times in my life.
I worked for and did life with the Fey?s and they were like a family to me. Tom taught me so much and he was always a man of great resources. If you needed something like a tool or a truck he would not hesitate to give it to you to use. He was one of the funniest men I have know. Such fond memories of working at the marina and cookout will warm my heart for my lifetime. I am so glad I was blessed to cross paths with Tom because I really grew to love him.
The good times are so numerous to remember and that?s a good thing.
I thank God for Toms life and all the kindness he shared with me for so many years.
I will miss him dearly.
Travis Worthman"
"My sympathy and prayers to all of Tom's family and friends. Vicki Ford Fox"
"It has been my honor to know Tom, he was truly a great man. I sent my prayers for the family, may God help ease your pain during this loss. Tom will be missed by so many people, it was a blessing for me to know him. David Hawn "
"We were so saddened by the passing of Tom. He could always bring a chuckle, and will be sorely missed.
Wish the deepest sympathy for the whole family,
Brian & Dianna Smith and the entire staff of
Jerry's Tire Service"
"It was a pleasure to have worked with Tom for several years as a manager at Parkview Physicians Group. I fought long and hard to keep Tom Fey Cleaning at my offices. Whenever I needed anything, he was ready to help at me or my staff at my offices. Truly a genuine person that alway put others needs as his priority. He will be missed by so many of my former PPG colleagues. We really were thankful for Tom and his commitment to our patients, staff, physicians and offices. Rest in Heaven Tom. The Fey family are in my thoughts and prayers for solace at this time. Sincere condolences, Jada Alexander-Sackschewsky"
"Prayers for the whole Fey family during such a difficult time. Your love was obvious every time you spoke of Tom. God bless."
"May God give you strength in this time of grief and fond memories of Thomas Scott Fey, CCHS ALUMNI Class of 1972 The Alumni of CCHS extends sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers to Thomas's family. www.cchsaa.org per TLG "
"Our thoughts and prayers to the family. Andy and Jenny Gaerte"
"To Becky and Tom's entire family -- I am so very sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers!"
"Ben, we are so sorry to hear about your dad. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Curt & Joey Fenker"
"Ben and family, I am sooo sorry for your loss. You are all in my thought and prayers"
"I am sorry to see this. I remember Tom as he provided services for one of the buildings I managed. Very wonderful guy. Will remember all in my prayers. "
"Please accept our deepest sympathy in the loss of Tom. He was a special person and will be missed by everyone. Don & Helen Campbell "
"Sending thoughts and prayers to all. Tom was a great guy and will be missed "
"So Sorry for your loss, they were our first baby sitter when we lived at the lakes Barry and Kathy Truman"
"We are so deeply sorry for your loss and are sending our condolences, thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
?The loss is immeasurable but so is the love left behind.?
David, Mary, Zach and Raphaella Schinbeckler/Rutten
"
"So sorry for your loss, thinking of all of the family. Prayers that God will be there to help all through this difficult time. Cheryl Porter & Bill Burton "
"May the family of Tom's find some comfort knowing what a good, hard working, and family man he was. He will be missed by many."
"We are so sorry for your loss. May God bless and help you thru these troublesome time. Dean and Missy Wells"
"I am so sorry for your loss! My thoughts and prayers are with all of the family at this time.
Mary & John Eckert"
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you, may God bless and keep you.
Dennis & Bonnie Pease, Martha Essex"
"Sorry for your loss, you all are in our thoughts. Marty and Cindy Rossiter"
"May each of you find courage to face tomorrow as you rest in the knowledge that we truly care about each of your needs and that we will walk beside you in your journey of grief. Randy Grimes, Brett Gerber and the Staff of DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home "