Thomas Allen Varner Obituary

Thomas Allen Varner, 82, passed away on August 12, 2021 surrounded by his family. He was born January 5, 1939, in Lima, OH, the son of Martin and Dorothy Varner.

Tom graduated from Arthur Hill High School in Saginaw, MI where he was an All-State Center for the football team. He followed his dad to The Ohio State University where he continued his passionate pursuit of academics and athletics. It was on the campus of OSU that he met and married his best friend, Linda Lee. They celebrated 59 years of marriage in June.

He lived a life of service to others enlisting in the US Army following college. He spent most of his career in adult education serving as a professor and provost at J Sergeant Reynolds Community College. An active member of his church, he served as a lay minister and Sunday school teacher. Later in life his passion was his work with Kiwanis. He held various leadership roles in the Ashland Club and Capital District organization. The impact and influence he has had on those who crossed his path will be present for years even if he is not.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Robert Varner. Surviving in addition to his wife, Linda, are his son, David Varner and his daughter, Kelly Pocta and her husband David Pocta; his sister Linda Meunier and her husband Paul Meunier; three beloved grandchildren, Kevin Pocta and his wife Jamie, Matthew Pocta and his wife Amelia and Michael Pocta and his fiancé Ashton; two great grandchildren; four nephews and one niece.

A Celebration of Life will be held 3 pm on Saturday, September 4th at Duncan Memorial Fellowship Hall, Ashland, VA. The family welcomes all to join us as we celebrate a life well lived. Those who wish to remember Tom in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the Tom Varner Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Ashland Kiwanis Charitable Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 2045 Ashland, VA 23005