Thomas "Tom" Ursem's Obituary
Tom Ursem passed away, leaving behind a legacy of love and devotion to his family and friends.
Tom proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1965 to 1968 and was honorably discharged. Shortly after returning home, he married his high school sweetheart, Bonnie Jean Reffert, in November 1968. Their story began in the simplest of ways - through Bonnie’s best friend who lived on Tom’s street - and grew into a lifelong partnership rooted in love, loyalty, and family.
Together, Tom and Bonnie built a life centered on their three children: sons Scott and Ryan, and daughter Mandy. Tom was a deeply involved and intentional father who made time for each child’s interests - coaching youth sports, shooting guns with Ryan, sharing movies and photography classes with Mandy, attending heavy metal concerts and WWF wrestling events with Scott, and teaching his children how to ski. He took great pride in seeing each of his children marry: Scott and Holly Ursem, Ryan and Jenny Ursem, and Mandy and Harry Clancy.
That pride grew even deeper when Tom became a grandfather to six grandchildren: Dylan, Kyle, Maya, Landin, Alex, and Nolan. He delighted in supporting each of them in their own interests - coaching their teams, taking them to amusement parks, playing putt-putt golf, going fishing, and spending meaningful one-on-one time together. In November 2024, Tom experienced a particularly special milestone when he saw his first grandchild, Dylan, marry Salena.
Family was the foundation of Tom’s life. With Bonnie being one of seven siblings, Tom embraced that extended family as his own, forming bonds that went far beyond marriage. He was truly a brother to them, and they to him, remaining deeply close throughout his life. For decades, the annual Reffert family golf trip to Myrtle Beach was something everyone looked forward to - a tradition that began in the 1970s and grew into generations of shared stories, laughter, and memories. Tom and Bonnie made memories on many trips throughout their married life, including countless vacations shared with their children and grandchildren. On family vacations, Tom could often be heard saying, “I’m a lucky man,” a simple reflection of how deeply he valued time spent together - including a family trip to Florida this past November.
In 1980, Tom co-founded Teletronics with a business partner, where he served as owner and president for many years. In 2007, he proudly passed leadership of the company to his son Scott. Today, the business - now known as TTX - is led by Scott, Ryan, and the partner’s son. Tom took great pride not only in the company’s success, but in the people behind it, knowing the business he helped build supported loyal employees and their families for decades.
Tom also generously gave his time and skills as a longtime volunteer at the USS Cod Submarine Memorial, a World War II fleet submarine in Cleveland, Ohio. Working alongside a dedicated team of volunteers, he supported a variety of repair and restoration projects, particularly related to the submarine’s communications systems. Tom took great pride in this work and in helping preserve history and honor those who served.
Tom was also a devoted and loyal friend. He made a point of staying connected throughout his life - meeting regularly for breakfast with high school friends, keeping close ties with former military buddies, longtime softball teammates, and neighbors from his years in Brunswick as well as his current friends and neighbors in Columbia Station. He played softball for decades, long past the age most would have stepped away, simply because he loved the camaraderie and friendships it fostered.
Tom lived a full and generous life. He showed up - for his family, his friends, his work, and his community. His legacy lives on in the traditions he created, the relationships he nurtured, and the memories shared by all who knew him. His wife, his children, and his grandchildren were truly blessed to have him, and his presence will be deeply missed and forever cherished.
The family will welcome friends on Friday, January 16, beginning at 3:00 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Chapel, 6245 Columbia Road, North Olmsted, Ohio 44070. A memorial service will be held the same day at 6:30 p.m. at the chapel.
Private burial services will be held at a later date for immediate family.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish may choose to honor Tom’s life and service through a donation to a veterans charity of their choice.
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