Tom was born August 26, 1945 in Muskegon, Michigan, to Webster “Ace” and Thomasine (Rose) Cutler. A proud “Big Red,” he attended Muskegon Public Schools, graduating in 1963. He attended Michigan State University and Central Michigan University, where he earned multiple degrees in education.
Tom was a committed and compassionate teacher, principal, and superintendent during a nearly four-decade career in education. He began as a teacher and coach at Muskegon Oakridge and Hesperia high schools and later became assistant principal at Leslie High School and principal at Marion High School. He served as superintendent of schools at Martin and Grant before his retirement.
He was a member of the Michigan Association of School Administrators, the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals, and the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association.
Tom truly cared about his fellow educators and students, and considered the arts and extracurricular activities an important extension of the classroom.
His education career included coaching football. He was named Regional Coach of the Year eight times, State Coach of the Year, and was selected to coach in the Michigan All-Star Game. In 2002, he was honored with induction into the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
He spent 20 years of his career in Marion. He’d been there six years when the varsity football coach resigned, and he said he’d take over for a year. That turned into an 11-year stretch that saw numerous conference championships, three teams make it to the state semi-finals, and one win a state championship. Thirty of his athletes received all-state recognition.
During his time at Marion, he had the opportunity to coach his two sons, Tom and Joel. One of Tom’s proudest moments was coaching the Eagles to the 1990 state championship and celebrating with the community. After the game, he left to walk his daughter, Betsy, down the aisle that evening. It was a special day.
Tom recently was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from Marion Public Schools, which was presented at an event attended by many former students and players, his fellow coaching staff, and community residents who simply wanted to offer their thanks.
Tom saw the best in people and the potential in everyone. He believed in the importance of treating others the way you would want to be treated, the power of kindness, loyalty, and love.
Nothing was more important to Tom than his family. His love for his wife, Lynda, was immeasurable.
When asked what he wanted to be remembered for, he said “that he loved his family very much.”
He’ll be deeply missed by his wife of 57 years, Lynda, of Byron Center; children Betsy (Cort) Musolf of Port Sheldon, Thomas (Susan) Cutler of Byron Center, and Joel (Crystal) Cutler of Eaton Rapids. He will also be missed by his grandchildren Samantha (Musolf) (Juan) Avila and Cort Musolf; Aliya, Travis, Kasey and Kellen Cutler; and Erin, Ryan and Riley Cutler. He’s also survived by his sister, Elizabeth Cutler, of Muskegon, and sister-in-law, Donna Conant, of Wauwatosa, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Linda Cutler; in-laws Gordon and Eileen Conant, and Robert and Donna Caughey; and brother-in-law, Gordon Conant.
Visitation with friends and family will be from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday, July 3, 2021 at Cook Funeral Home, 2067 84th St., Byron Center, MI 49315. There will be a private family service to follow.
Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Hospice. The family welcomes memories and messages in their guest book online at www.cookcaresbyron.com.
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