Thomas Albert Kertscher

Tom Kertscher of Evans, GA passed away on Monday, September 10, 2024, at the age of 83. He was born on August 24, 1941, in Ravenna, Ohio to Richard and Isabel Kertscher. Tom attended Tappan Elementary School and Ravenna High, graduating in 1959. In high school, he participated in the choir, school newspaper and Latin club. Tom very much enjoyed being a Boy Scout during his elementary and high school years and continued to exemplify the qualities of a Scout throughout his lifetime. After high school, he studied at Miami of Ohio University, earning his bachelor’s degree in 1963. While at the university, he was a member of the ROTC.

Tom served as an officer in the U.S. Navy for 2 years, first on a destroyer in the Atlantic and later stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. After returning home from the Navy, he worked with his father in Ravenna at the family’s retail shoe and apparel store, called “Kertscher’s”. The business operated for over 100 years and was a well known and respected small business on Main Street in the heart of Ravenna. 

Tom met Mayris Lind through mutual friends who set them up on a blind date while Tom was home on regular leave from the Navy. They dated for a year and a half after his tour of duty was complete and married on November 25, 1966. Tom and May went on to have three children, Doug (born 1968), Laura (born 1969) and Jeff (born 1973) and were married for 57 years. 

In 1976, Tom was elected to the Ravenna City Council and served as president for a term. During his time in office, he led the effort to procure a ladder and bucket fire truck for the local fire department. His children delighted in traveling to fires around the city after Tom installed a “fire phone” in the house that rang when volunteers were needed for large fires. Tom also enjoyed dressing up in costume to participate in the local “Krazy Days” parade, designed to serve local businesses. He was an active member of Kiwanis, an international service club, during his young professional years in Ohio. 

In 1980, Tom and his family moved to Norcross, GA, where Tom would reside for 40 years. He worked as an accountant for Cox Cable Communications and later started a small accounting business, performing outside accounting and bookkeeping work for small business clients. Tom worked with some of his accounting clients for more than 20 years until his passing. He also worked in commercial real estate appraising, enjoying his travels to small towns in Georgia where he learned about many unique small businesses. Tom worked hard to support his family and especially his three children during their college years. 

Tom and May moved to Evans, Georgia in 2020 and really enjoyed it. Tom liked the small town feel (which reminded him of his younger days in small town Ohio) and the local sense of community. He faithfully attended and volunteered as a greeter at River Rock Church, Visible Church, and Redeemer Presbyterian Church. 

In later years, Tom enjoyed traveling to places like Maggie Valley, NC, Rosemary Beach, FL and Lake Oconee, GA. Tom became a grandfather to ten grandchildren: Richard, Sara Emily, Isabella, Elijah, Lila, Josh, Mac, Natalia, Oliver and Jack. Grandpa Tom, also know affectionately as Pa Tom and Tommy, often delighted in chasing (or being chased) by the grandchildren around the house. 

Tom enjoyed working in his yard and took pride in having the best lawn in the neighborhood. Ever the family man, He took an interest in genealogy and enjoyed expanding family tree information with the help of a 21 and Me genealogy kit. He was always up for a good game of cards, Uno, Old Maid and any type of outdoor activity. He never turned down an opportunity to join in fun excursions with his children and grandchildren. In the last years of his life, he found enjoyment in cooking, puzzling, jet ski and golf cart rides and spending quality time with family at the lake. 

Tom was much loved and known to all as a kind, fun-loving and private person, who always conducted himself with the highest degree of integrity. He will be missed by all who knew him. 

Tom is survived by his wife, Mayris Kertscher, three children: Douglas (Magdalena) Kertscher, Laura (Andrew) Beeson and Jeffrey (Kristy) Kertscher, 10 grandchildren, and two sisters: Betsy (Richard) Papp and Susan Milo. 

Tom’s memorial service will be held Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 3:00pm at Redeemer Presbyterian Church with Rev. Jeffrey Kertscher officiating. The family will receive friends at 2:00pm at Redeemer Church, prior to the service. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (https://www.lls.org/ways-to-give), the Piedmont Augusta Foundation (706-667-0030) and Redeemer Presbyterian Church of Evans Georgia (https://www.redeemerevans.org/).