Lebanon │ Mt. Juliet │ Gallatin │ Alexander
Hendersonville │ Anthony │ Westmoreland │ Portland
Service of Reflection
Obituary of Thomas E. Graf
OBITUARY FOR THOMAS GRAF Thomas E. Graf, 71, devoted and beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother died Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at home in Hermitage, TN under the care of Heart’n Soul Hospice.
Tom was born October 13, 1951 to wonderful parents, Albert and Anne Graf. He was raised in Bogota, New Jersey with his siblings, Judy, Al, and Rick.
As an avid sports enthusiast, Tom excelled as a high school cross country runner and continued to run throughout his adulthood. He was a loyal Pittsburgh Steelers fan and a champion for women’s soccer always cheering on his daughters’ travel and college teams and the US Women’s National Team. His love of sports led him to his undergraduate degree in Recreation from Indiana State University and his master’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. There, he met his bride-to-be, Debbie Lea.
Tom and Debbie were married in July 1978; one year after meeting. Their love for one another sustained almost 45 years, until death did them part. Tom was a faithful husband, loving father and a dedicated provider for his family. He had a passion for working with adults with intellectual disabilities and a gift for building relationships while making all people feel valued. This led to a long career that transitioned from parks and recreation director, program director for Special Olympics, leisure and amusement park event planning and promotions, owning his own marketing and promotions agency and lastly in semi-retirement, as a realtor.
His three daughters, Kathy, Stephanie and Megan all adored their dad. Always the jokester, Tom nicknamed each girl with an Italian boy’s name. He was their soccer coach, tour guide at colleges, financial advisor and their rock. He was always available for a hug, playing sports or discussing their futures. Tom continued to invest in their lives as they graduated from college, achieved outstanding careers, got married and had children who all lovingly called him Pop.
He is survived by his wife, Deborah Lea Graf; daughters Kathy (Brandon) Eiff of SC, Stephanie (Nick) Grimes of PA, and Megan Thomas of TN; grandchildren Tatum Grimes, Grafton Eiff, Samson Eiff, Mandy Chloe Eiff and Morgan Thomas; brother Rick (Nicki) Graf; brother-in-law Lou Coco; mother-in-law Jean Lea; brothers-in law and sisters-in law Cynthia (Jay) Ligon and Buddy (Tammy) Lea; as well as many nieces and nephews. Tom was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Anne Graf, brother Albert S. Graf and sister Judy Coco.
A Service of Reflection will be held on June 10 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Sellar’s Funeral Home, 2229 N. Mt. Juliet Rd, Mt. Juliet TN 37122. All family and friends are invited to celebrate Tom’s life through stories his daughters will share, as well as a reflection piece written by Tom, specifically for this occasion. The musical playlist he selected includes songs from his favorite band, The Rolling Stones.
He will be missed dearly for his love, guidance, humor and wit. Please join us as we honor and reflect on a life well-lived and loved-well.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations or contributions be made to any of the following:
• Providence Classical School, Attn: Simply Providence (new division for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities), PO Box 37891, Rock Hill, SC 29732; www.pcsrh.org/simplyprovidence
• Nashville Rescue Mission, 639 Lafayette St., Nashville, TN 37203; www.nashvillerescuemission.org
Sellars Funeral Home at Mt. Juliet has been entrusted with the care of Mr. Graf
Phone: 615-758-5459, obituary line 615-758-8818, www.sellarsfuneralservices.com
Sellars
Funeral Home
313 W Baddour Pkwy
Lebanon, TN 37087
Phone: (615) 444-9393
Fax: (615) 449-1390
Obituaries: (615) 758-8818
www.sellarsfh.com
lebanon@sellarsfh.com
Sellars
Funeral Home
at Mt. Juliet
2229 N. Mt. Juliet Road
Mt. Juliet, TN 37122
Phone: (615) 758-5459
Fax: (615) 773-4343
Obituaries: (615) 758-8818
www.sellarsfh.com
mtjuliet@sellarsfh.com
Sellars
Family Heritage
at gallatin
100 East Albert Gallatin Ave.
Gallatin, TN 37066
Phone: (615) 452-7115
Fax: (615) 451-6346
Obituaries: (615) 452-5900
www.familyheritagefh.com
familyheritagefh@gmail.com
Alexander
FUNERAL HOME
209 East Locust Street
Lafayette, TN 37083
Phone: (615) 666-2189
Fax: (615) 666-7814
Obituaries: (615) 666-4949
www.alexanderfh.com
info@alexanderfh.com
SELLARS
FUNERAL HOME
AT HENDERSONVILLE
108 Monthaven Blvd.
Hendersonville, TN 37075
Phone: (615) 265-8535
Fax: (615) 265-8247
Obituaries: (615) 644-2285
www.sellarsfh.com
hendersonville@sellarsfh.com
anthony
FUNERAL HOME
337 E McMurry Blvd
Hartsville, TN 37074
Phone: (615) 374-2280
Fax: (615) 374-2293
Obituaries: (615) 374-4600
www.anthonyfhhartsville.com
hartsville@sellarsfh.com
SELLARS
FAMILY HERITAGE
1126 New Highway 52 E
Westmoreland, TN 37186
Phone: (615) 644-2284
Fax: (615) 644-2286
Obituaries: (615) 644-2285
www.sellarsfh.com
westmoreland@sellarsfh.com
SELLARS
FAMILY HERITAGE
AT PORTLAND
610 N. Broadway St.
Portland, TN 37148
Phone: (615) 325-5010
Fax: (615) 325-2481
Obituaries: (615) 325-9725
www.sellarsfh.com
portland@sellarsfh.com