“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.”

Psalm 23:4

Thomas John Park, Sr., was born on March 23, 1940, in Youngstown, Ohio, to parents William and Anna Mae Park. He passed away peacefully on March 22, 2026, in Orange Park, Florida, at the age of 85 the day before his 86th birthday, evidently preferring to spend his birthday celebrating with Jesus! Tom was surrounded by family and visited by all six of his beloved grandchildren before he passed away.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife Ellen, son Tommy Park (Nikki); daughter Jennifer Davis; six grandchildren Christian Boyer, Madison Davis, Tili Park, Asher Park, Izzy Park, and Judah Park; sister Dorothy Laughton; and those who loved him.

Tom grew up in Miami, Florida, as the youngest of six children. With four older sisters to dote on him, he was well loved. His sister Dorothy even named her son after him. As a little boy, Tom loved fishing, riding his bike for miles to get to his favorite spot. In high school, he played football as an offensive lineman and medaled in multiple track and field events. He graduated from Miami Jackson High School in 1960. Immediately following high school, Tom enlisted in the United States Navy where he proudly served his country for 29 years, traveling across the United States and to Japan and Iceland, eventually retiring in Orange Park, Florida, with the rank of Senior Chief in July of 1989.

On October 4, 1970, Tom married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Dowdle of Miami, beginning a life full of adventure that took them around the globe. During this time, they welcomed their son, Tommy, in Pensacola and then spent three years in Iceland. The family eventually settled in Orange Park, where they welcomed their daughter, Jennifer. It was during this season that Tom became a member of AA and faithfully attended weekly meetings for the rest of his life. He found great purpose in being there to serve others who had gone through similar struggles and was very proud to be sober for over 45 years. After retiring from the Navy, Tom worked as a supervisor at a sheetmetal company called Exact. In 2000, Tom married his second wife Ellen. Tom and Ellen deeply enjoyed over twenty-five years of rich and loving marriage. They enjoyed traveling together to visit family, fishing, and gardening. Tom and Ellen were truly the cutest couple. Even in their eighties, if you had the privilege of seeing them together, you would be sure to see them holding hands.

Tom greatly enjoyed being a father and grandfather. Tom was a fun, silly, and caring father, devoted to his two children. He coached soccer and baseball and loved spending time with his children, taking his son Tommy on their annual pilgrimage to spring training camp for the MLB and taking his daughter Jennifer on special day trips. Tom delighted in his six grandchildren, leading boy scouts, attending theatre productions, baseball games, and soccer games as often as he could. Even in his eighties, Papa could be seen giving batting tips to his grandson in the parking lot of Hendricks Avenue Baseball. Papa was a story-teller, always happy to share stories from his past with his eager grandchildren. They loved their Papa!

Tom loved collecting. He amassed quite a coin collection. Tom had a passion for collecting trains including one from his father, an America Flyer train from 1946. One of his favorite things to do with his grandchildren was to lie on the ground and watch these vintage trains circle the Christmas tree each year. He also collected baseball cards with his son, and together they ran a little baseball card business selling them at flea markets and baseball card shows. However, his favorite collection was his animals from the family’s miniature schnauzer Pepper to his two blue parakeets, his stunning aquarium filled with vibrant fish, and his cats Snickers, Cookie, Candy, and Chloe.

Tom enjoyed the peace and beauty of being on the water. He was an avid lover of fishing. Tom loved being in nature and could be found in his garden caring for his roses well into his eighties. He cultivated fruit in his backyard from peaches and plums to his own strawberries he used to make strawberry shortcake for his family in summer. He loved baking, especially during the holidays.

Tom found great joy in spending holidays with his family. He especially loved Christmas and spent hours every December making dozens upon dozens of homemade Christmas cookies from his family’s recipes and decorating them with his beloved grandchildren. Tom was a Christmas man from his earliest days decorating as a young dad to his recent years watching his grandchildren open gifts first thing Christmas morning.

Tom was a truly joyful guy, giggling even until the end. He was just as cute in his death as he was in life. “Papa was a nice guy, and he really liked me.” This eulogy from his six-year-old grandson captures the essence of Tom, a kind, loving, humble, and generous man who will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Broadus-Raines Chapel.

Graveside service with full military honors will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 3, 2026, at Jacksonville National Cemetery.

Celebration of life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Cross Creek Presbyterian Church.

“My help comes from the LORD,

who made heaven and earth.”

Psalm 121:2