Thomas G. Stubbs, of Bowling Green , Ohio, passed away peacefully at age 94 on Friday, May 25th, 2018. He was born in Chicago, IL on May 15th, 1924 to George & Helen (Conklin) Stubbs. He married Glenna Mae Abrams in 1947, and she preceded him in death in 1989. Along with his wife Anabel W. (Williamsen) whom he married in 1997, Tom is survived by his children, David (Jackie) Stubbs, Battle Creek , MI, Daniel (Ana) Stubbs of Portland, OR, Sarah (Jim) McDermott, of Bowling Green, and Timothy (Diane) Stubbs, also of Bowling Green. He also leaves stepchildren, William (Susan) Williamsen, Grand Rapids, OH, and Patricia Williamsen (Ed Foley) of Westerville, OH. , and 5 grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren.
Tom was a 1942 graduate of Lakewood High School in Lakewood, Ohio. He served his country during World War Two after his induction to the US Army in 1943. Following officers training school in 1944 he was a First Lieutenant in the Army Air Force and served in the Japanese occupation.
He attended BGSU, and received his BA in Education in 1949, and his Master’s in Education from Kent State University is 1951. His teaching career began in 1951 in Newton Falls, OH as a 6th grade teacher. He then taught & coached swimming at East Grand Rapids High School in MI for 6 years and won six state championships. Our family moved to Battle Creek, MI where he continued his teaching and coaching career.
While in MI, Tom’s name began to become synonymous with coaching swimming and diving. He was the president of the MI High School Swimming Coaches Association from 1956-1957, and served on many related committees during that time. From 1969 -76 he was on the NCAA Rules Committee, and was the head referee at the NCAA Championship meets 6 times.
In 1963 Tom and his family then moved to Bowling Green, Ohio to become the Head Swimming Coach of his alma mater. He coached both the men and women’s teams into the mid-eighties. He also found time to co-found the BG Swim Club in 1965, and became the director of the Al Sawdy Learn to Swim program, which he headed for 11 years. Tom was proud of his coaching career, but probably more proud of the 30 + All Americans whom he helped to excel, as well as the numerous individuals he mentored along the way, not only as athletes, but as people. The swimming /diving community has lost an advocate of the highest order.
BGSU and the community of Bowling Green were very important to Tom. Besides his coaching and teaching career, he was involved in the BGSU President’s Club, The Falcon Club, The Varsity Letterman’s Club, the Swimming & Diving Alumni Association, the BGSU Retirees Association, the BG Parks & Recreation Board and Foundation, to name just a few of the many organizations to which he belonged.
Tom received many honors & awards throughout his life, including the MI Swimming Coach of the Year (1958), the Boy Scout’s Order of the Arrow (1965), the National Red Cross Humanitarian Award (1965), and induction into BGSU’s Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Society (1979). In 1991, Tom was named the BG Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen of the Year in recognition of his many civic contributions. He was also inducted into the BGSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.
Tom was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Bowling Green. He was a devout Christian who could always be counted on to step forward for anyone in need. At the church, he was very active for many, many years, and served as a Vestry member, Business Mgr., and Treasurer. His commitment to St. John’s was very strong, and he will be sorely missed by those who share that commitment.
Tom thoroughly enjoyed time with family. He said that he it seemed he never had enough of that, or of pool time, or time on the golf course. He was lucky to have traveled throughout the US, as well as abroad. Tom could always find that ice cream shop around the corner, and was always ready for a big slice of cherry pie.
During the last few years, Tom experienced some health issues, and became a resident at Brookdale Care Center in BG. While there, he would often express his hope that he would one day be able to return to his home. As a man of deep faith, he has. Tom’s was a life that touched so many others. It was long & full, just as our memories will be of our husband, father, grandfather, friend.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday June 9, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Dunn Funeral Home, located in the Historical District of Bowling Green at 408 West Wooster St. Father Jeffry Bunke will officiate. Military Honors will be rendered by the Wood County Honor Detail. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Immediately following the service, the family would like to invite those who are able to join them in continuing to celebrate Tom’s Life with food and fellowship at the Bowling Green Country Club, 923 Fairview Ave.
Memorial contributions may be given in Tom’s memory to the Bowling Green Swim Club, Bowling Green Parks & Recreation Foundation or a charity of the donor’s choice.
To share an online condolence, fond memory or photo with the Stubbs family please visit www.dunnfuneralhome.com.
