Tom Merritt Walworth

Tom Merritt Walworth, Jr., age 97 of Grosse Pointe Farms, died Saturday, January 12, 2019 at the Grosse Pointe Campus of Beaumont Hospital. He was born September 8, 1921 in Hillsdale, Michigan, son of the late Tom and the late Gladys (nee: Dibble) Walworth.With thanks and praise from a grateful nation, we pay homage to Tom for his service to our country as a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War II. For answering his call with pride and patriotism,…for serving with bravery and valiance,…and for Tom's willingness to stand in harm's way for the cause of freedom & liberty, we extend our posthumous gratitude for his honorable service and the role he played as part of America's "Greatest Generation." Tom knew many joys in life, but none so much as the blessings he found in the woman he took as his wife, Miss Mary Josephine Kennedy,…more affectionately known to all as "Jo." She was truly "his world" and meant more to him than words could express. Together they built upon the comforts of home and hearth, were the parents of four beautiful children, and grew deeper in love as the years ensued. It was a love for the ages, and one which they nurtured until Jo's passing on September 16, 2015.Having chosen sales as his career path, Tom was quite successful in his role as partner at H & W Automotive Sales. He was very adept and knowledgeable when it came to meeting the needs of his customer base and was an integral part of the automotive scene, here, in the Motor Capital of the world. Tom worked hard to maintain a thriving business, but he also knew how to infuse balance into his life through the various pastimes and entertainment venues he enjoyed. Perhaps one of the most prominent was his love of sports, something which both he & Jo were able to share together quite often. And at the top of the list was his love for everything "U of M." Crazy that he was an MSU graduate, yet there was no greater fan or supporter of the iconic Blue & Gold than Tom, and his devotion was evidenced in the Season Tickets he held…year after year. But his sportsapalooza wasn't focused solely on the U of M, it was spread out amongst a number of different venues as his sporting appetite was difficult to satiate. From his MSU roots to his love of Hillsdale football, Tom & Jo could often be seen at arenas all weekend long. And if they weren't watching the big boys do their thing, "Grandma & Grandpa" were right there in the stands watching their grandchildren compete for victory. Always the proud & loud Grandpa, Tom loved his cherubs immensely and was never more pumped than to watch them grow and learn through one of the greatest teachers,…Sports! Tom shared many wonderful pastimes with his bride, with a favorite being their love for the theater. As much as Tom loved his sports, he was also known for his cultured tastes as well. From the theater in Grosse Pointe to those in Detroit, Tom was a lover of the arts which just added to his distinguished nature and character. He also loved to travel with one of his favorite destinations being the warm & sunny locale of Lake Worth, Florida. Nestled within the West Palm Beach area, off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, it was the ideal respite from the cares of life and the perfect escape from the wintry mix of the Mitten. Tom was also an avid reader and loved to feed his intellect, be it funny or serious, through the consumption of reading material. He had built quite the library over the years,…and was still well on his way to expanding his collection. Of all the things that helped to lighten his heart and mind, nothing said relaxing like curling up with a good book and getting lost in its pages.Yet of all that defined this man, perhaps the first & foremost reflection will be the two things that made his world rotate on its axis,…Coke & Candy Bars. Though his lifetime was rife with family and friends who loved their "adult beverages," Tom was truly a teetotaler and was happier than a clam with his glass of that Brown Delight. And what's a drink of Coke about if not to wash down the goodness of a favorite candy bar? Those sweet little bars of Heaven were steady staples in Tom's life, and he managed to keep lots of candy factory employees on the job, for sure.A loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Tom lived life to the fullest and with a generous spirit that touched a multitude of hearts and souls in his journey this side of Heaven. He made quite an impact, influenced lives for the better, and leaves a genuine & unique legacy of love for all to embrace who were blessed to know him. He will be missed immensely and loved eternally. Tom was the beloved husband of the late Mary "Jo". Dear father of Michael Walworth, Craig (Sheri) Walworth, Terry (Michele) Walworth, and the late Randy Walworth. Loving grandfather of Nicole, Danielle, Gabrielle, Stephen, Lyndsey, Thomas, A.J., Stephanie, and great-grandfather of Treble. Brother of Betty Watson and the late Rev. George Walworth. Visitation for Tom will be held Wednesday, January 16th from 3-8 pm, to include a 7:00 pm Funeral Service, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 ½ Mile Rd.) in Warren. Please share memories of Tom at his guest book above.