Thomas Frederick Nehl

Local business man, civic leader, actor and philanthropist Thomas F. Nehl, 89, long time resident of Jacksonville, passed away May 24, 2012. Tom was born in Portland, Oregon and moved to Jacksonville as a young man to start his own business “ Tom Nehl Truck Company”. He was an Air Force veteran and served during World War ll. Tom was a long time member of the San Jose Country Club, the University Club, and was a founding member of the TPC Sawgrass.

An aspiring actor, Tom was a fixture in the local theatre community for many decades. He volunteered his time and financial resources to make and insure a better theatre experience for actors and theatre goers.

In addition to his love of the theatre and golf, Tom had an equal passion for auto racing. He became a very accomplished racer and has been given the honor of a race bearing his name, “ The Tom Nehl Classic” which is held at the storied Robeling Road race track near Savannah, Ga.. Tom was a lifetime member of the “Old timers club” at the Indy 500 where he co-owned the team that vaulted Janet Guthrie to become the first female driver at the Indy 500.

Tom was preceded in death by his mother, Rose Blanche Nehl, two sons, Albert and Jeffery, a half brother Diden, and a sister Edna. Surviving are his loving wife Jean Nehl, daughter Linda (William) Ewer, daughter in law Helga Nehl, two grandchildren, William Thomas Ewer and Zachary Scott Ewer. In addition to his immediate family, Tom leaves behind his dearest friends, Steve Bacalis, Jose Sabatier, Bill Warner, Lee Cox, Tom Kavannaugh & Walter Moody.

Although his health was fading over the last several years, Tom was blessed with wonderful & loving caregivers Mary Culver-Nacoste, Derek Stays, Marlene Simmons, Terrence Culver, Phillip Culver, Marilyn Carey, and Winona Milton, Donna Nacoste.

A mass in Tom’s honor will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, May 31st at San Jose Catholic Church. Gifts in his name to the Community Foundation the Tom Nehl Fund, 245 Riverside Ave. Suite 310, Jacksonville, FL 32202 or www.jaxcf.org.

Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 4115 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, FL, 32207.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hardage-giddenshendricksave.com.

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