Thomas Harley Elam Jr.

Thomas Harley Elam, Jr., 76, passed away on March 19, 2025, from complications of diabetes.

Tom was born on February 21, 1949 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He grew up in the Village of Lockland and graduated from Lockland High School in 1967. Tom was athletic and played baseball and football in high school. He studied at the University of Cincinnati for a brief time, before joining the Ford Motor Company. He would remain at Ford as a machinist for 35 years until he retired to become a full-time papaw.

Tom married his bride, Barbara (French) in 1971. He was dad to Tom Elam III (Katie) and Sarah Elam-Schenz (Brandon). He was beyond delighted to be an incredible papaw to Vaughn Schenz and Parker and Cooper Elam. He also cherished time with his great-granddaughter, Ezra (Vaughn and Kendall.)

Though Tom may have seemed gruff on the outside, those who got to know him were delighted with his quick wit and sense of humor. He could be very charming and made friends easily. He loved the Reds and had a complicated relationship with the Bengals. Tom loved his pets and will be greeted at the Rainbow Bridge by Pepper and Kodi as well as Pat and Bogey.

Tom recently started a new chapter in his life at the Otterbein Senior Community with Barb and enjoyed meeting many new friends there. Diabetes became a vicious monster late in his life, but he weathered that storm with dignity.

Visitation will be held on March 25, 2025, at Hodapp Funeral Home West Chester at 12:30 PM. until the time of the funeral service beginning at 1:30. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Jude’s Pediatric Cancer Research Hospital or a pet shelter of your choosing in his memory.