Thomas Lee Wendorf, age 83 of Fort Payne, Alabama, passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2025, comfortably in his home with family by his side. He was born on April 2, 1942, in Wausau, Wisconsin.
In his youth, Tom loved sports. In 1960, as a senior in high school, he was co-captain of the Wausau High School basketball team when they won the Wisconsin state championship. He also played football and received a scholarship to play at Colorado State University. He pole vaulted in track and field as well. He is recognized as a member of the Wausau Sports Hall of Fame.
Following school, Tom and his family lived in Schofield, Wisconsin where he owned Graphic Services Inc., a company that provided detailed drawings and diagrams for industrial equipment. In 1984, he then moved to Fort Payne, Alabama to do similar work for the Heil Company.
In 2007, Tom retired and began a long battle with cancer. He was given 6 months to live and defied all odds by living an active life for over 17 years following the diagnosis. Tom valued every day he had and often said “I love life. I’ll fight this until the end”. He fought quietly and courageously and never let his cancer define him. He volunteered at Dekalb Regional Medical Center for over 15 years where he formed many friendships and brightened the days of patients. He brought donuts for his coworkers every Friday.
Tom was a storyteller. He loved to share stories of his youth, his family and his life experiences. Stories of his childhood adventures with his parents and brother and his shenanigans as a teenager often led to uncontrollable laughter.
Tom was preceded by death by his parents David and Ruth Wendorf, his loving wife Linda Wendorf, and friend/son-in-law Dale Sharp. He is survived by his children: John Wendorf (Libby), Doug Torney, Debra Sharp & Ken Wendorf (Monica), grandchildren: Seth, Justen, Heather, Matthew, Erin, Kristin, Kaytie, and Onalee and great grandchildren: Lillian, Tanner, Tucker and Charlotte. He is also survived by his brother David Wendorf (Afton).
A Memorial Service will be held at Wilson Funeral Home and Crematory in Fort Payne, AL at 2 p.m., Saturday, August 23, 2025. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 1 p.m. until the 2 p.m. hour of service. He will be laid to rest at Glenwood Cemetery in Fort Payne, Alabama.
Please remember all Tom’s family and friends in the days to come. He will be missed.
