William Thomas “Tom” Rohling, age 85, passed away peacefully after his short battle with cancer on August 3, 2024, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Tom was born on April 19, 1939, in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee to John and Margaret Meyers Rohling. He graduated from Lawrence County High School in May of 1957 and joined the Army in August that year. He served as a Medical Specialist in Europe until he was honorably discharged in 1960. After he returned home, he worked in the Loan Department for City Finance until he moved to Washington DC. He worked for Fisher Scientific and moved to Pittsburgh in 1965 where he continued his sales career until 1966.
Tom returned to Middle Tennessee and graduated from The University of Tennessee, Columbia with a Bachelor of Science. In 1972 he graduated from the University of Tennessee, Memphis with his Doctoral Degree in Pharmacy. With his degree in hand, he moved to Erwin, Tennessee where he worked as a pharmacist.
In December 1973, he moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee where he had purchased Elm Grove Pharmacy. Tom was the owner and chief pharmacist at Elm Grove until the business was sold in 1986. Tom continued working as a pharmacist at various companies including Eckerd Drug, Food City, CVS, Mugford Pharmacy, and Walgreens. Tom retired in 2004.
Throughout his life, Tom owned and piloted airplanes from his home in Maryville, Tennessee where he lived on an airstrip. Tom spent his time building airplanes, fishing, planting fruit trees, cheering on the Tennessee Vols in every sport, visiting with friends and attending services at the local Catholic Church. In 2020, Tom moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado to be closer to his daughter and granddaughters. Here he continued to be a great role model with his patience, love and understanding. He continued to garden from his apartment balcony and planted various trees in Colorado, although no one knows quite where.
Tom is survived by his daughter, Jodi West, his granddaughters Abigail and Chloe West, his sister Delores Elmy (Ray), and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Margaret Meyers Rohling, his sisters Geneva Rohling and Juanita McArthur, and his brother Lawrence Rohling.
Arrangements are being handled by Neal Funeral Home, 231 N. Military Avenue, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. Tom will be laid to rest with his family in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. The Rosary will be prayed at 7:00pm on October 23, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church located at 212 Berger St in Lawrenceburg. The funeral mass will be on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 10:30am, also at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Sacred Heart Catholic School of Lawrenceburg.
