Thomas Renwick Potts

Thomas Renwick Potts passed away Saturday, December 10, 2022 at the age of 81. Tom was loving, loyal, generous, and encouraging all his life, in all of his roles: as a son, brother, husband, father, and papa. He drew immense joy from his family and friends, but most importantly following and attending the many activities of his children and grandchildren. He was their number one fan at choral/band concerts, athletic events, and other school performances.

Tom grew up in White Pigeon, Michigan, graduating high school in 1959 as a three sport athlete. He attended Western Michigan where he earned his bachelor’s in Chemistry in 1963.

He then moved to Detroit to work on his masters at Wayne State University and in Detroit he met Linda Ellis. Linda and Tom married in 1967 while Tom finished his masters and began working on a doctoral degree. Daughter Karin was born in 1970 and Tom stopped his doctoral cancer research to begin working for Union Carbide. He worked for Union Carbide, which became Eveready/Energizer, until his retirement in 1998. The research group he led was responsible for the development of the lithium ion battery, a staple of the Energizer battery family to this day. His job took the family from Fremont, OH, to Red Oak, IA, back to Fremont, OH, then to Greenville, NC and finally to Avon Lake, OH. Along the way, Gretchen (1973) and Chris (1975) were born and many lifelong friends were made. He spent many hours as a volunteer soccer and basketball coach for his son, even coaching girl’s middle school basketball in his retirement. He also helped coach his daughter’s Olympics of the Mind team and sponsored the Math and Science Club. He loved to garden, to woodwork, and to grill out for dinner. He loved listening to Kenny Rogers (The Gambler), Willie Nelson (belting out “Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble”), Phantom of the Opera, and Carmina Burana (which he called culture hour when on family van trips). This was especially painful for the children on the two week trek out west to Montana, when they visited a great uncle, the Badlands, Yellowstone, and the Corn Palace.

After retirement, Tom and Linda continued to live in Avon Lake. He was very supportive of her career running the Library Gift Shop, and he took over all the household duties to support her return to work. After her passing in 2006, Tom then spent some time in Columbus and was lucky to find love again with Sue Dunlap. Tom and Sue were married in 2008 and spent the next 14 years traveling between their homes in White Pigeon and Columbus. Tom and Sue enjoyed attending events of their combined 15 grandchildren. They also enjoyed their travels on Viking Cruises to Hungary, Budapest, Scotland, and the south of France. They enjoyed visiting family and friends, especially their trips to North Carolina, which usually included a stop at the Biltmore.

Tom is survived by his loving wife, Sue Dunlap Potts; daughter Karin Pinto and husband Robert Pinto, grandchildren Christopher and Anna Pinto of West Lafayette,IN; daughter Gretchen Potts of Chattanooga, TN; and son Christopher Potts and wife Megan Potts, grandchildren Natalie, Charlotte, and Ryan Potts of Upper Arlington,OH. Tom was preceded in death by his brother Jon Potts, father Arthur Potts, mother Mildred Potts, and his first wife Linda Potts, whom he was married to for 40 years.

There will be a celebration honoring Tom’s life with Visitation on Thursday, Dec 22 from 4-7 PM at Schoedinger Northwest, 1740 Zollinger Road in Upper Arlington.

Family will also be celebrating and honoring Tom's life with visitation on Wednesday, Dec 28 from 11AM-12 PM at Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon Michigan where a service will begin at 12 PM and a brief graveside burial at White Pigeon Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his name to White Pigeon Schools, 410 E. Prairie Ave., White Pigeon, MI 49099; White Pigeon Firemen's Association,16975 US Highway 12, White Pigeon, MI, 49099 or to support the preservation of Union Hall Block Building, Inc., P.O. Box 43, White Pigeon, MI 49099.