Thomas Shoaf, Class of 1966

Thomas Shoaf ‘66 died October 29th, 2022. He was born in Whitehall, Ohio on January 22nd, 1944 to the later Dale and Edith Shoaf.
Thomas was a 1962 graduate of Whitehall Yearling High School. He attended Otterbein College and received a B.S. in Education. At Otterbein, he played football, wrestling, and track & field. He was also a member of “O” club, Leather Helmet Gang as well as being in the Eta phi Mu (Jonda) fraternity.
Tom began teaching in 1967 at Mifflin Middle School and then in 1979 he was selected as a Student Safety Specialist for Columbus City Schools. His educational career spanned almost 40 years. During that time, he was also a Columbus Police Auxiliary officer and in 1976, received a Columbus Police Commendation for rescuing a father and his two sons from a swollen river. After retirement, Tom and Sharon enjoyed traveling to many places, from the Panama Canal and Hawaii to Australia and New Zealand. St. Martin was their favorite destination in January or February of each year.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon Shoaf ‘67, their three children, Lisa Shoaf, Robert (Ewa) Shoaf, and Richard (Lisa) Shoaf; their eight grandchildren, Sylvia Ore, Katrina Ore, Gabrielle Ore, Alexander Ore, Allyssa Shoaf, Braden Shoaf, Sydney Shoaf, and Nicholas Shoaf; sisters, Judy Gillilan, Virginia Wargo, , Linda (Charles) Drake, and Debbie (Robert) Carr; and brother Kenneth Shoaf. Preceded in death by Dennis Wargo and Kenneth Gillilan.