Thomas J. Lasley
DELAWARE — Thomas J. Lasley, 89, passed peacefully Jan. 27, 2008, at Willow Brook Christian Community, Delaware.
He was born Nov. 17, 1918, in Columbus to Owen Lasley and Elonor (Childs) Lasley. He received his teaching certificate in elementary education from Rio Grande College, a Bachelor of Science in education from Ashland College and his master’s degree in education from Ohio State University. His first teaching position was at Broadway (Union County) where he taught fifth and sixth grades. He moved to secondary education at New Dover (Union County) where he taught English, social studies, and coached all athletic activities of the school. He became Ohio’s youngest school superintendent when he was 26 years old at Westville (Champaign County). He served 10 schools through his career, finishing his education career as county superintendent in Huron County in 1979.
The son of a pastor, he too became ordained as a pastor in 1941 and served churches as a bi-vocational minister. He served 12 churches while a career educator; following his retirement from education, he served full time at Brandon Baptist Church, Prospect Baptist Church, Fite Memorial (Marion) and, finally, retired from ministry at Radnor Baptist Church in 2000. He continued to lead Bible studies until his death.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Anna Frances (Cooper) Lasley; two sons, Mark A. (Sue) Lasley of Marion and Thomas J. (Janet) Lasley II of Dayton; one daughter, Kathryn (Tom) Brod of Columbia, Md.; seven grandchildren, Julianne Burt of Indianapolis, Melissa Lasley of Delaware, Elizabeth Cameron of Dayton, Michelle Foreman of Marion, David Brod of Chicago, Meredith Brod and Anna Brod of Columbia, Md. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Essel Lasley of Zanesville.
He was predeceased by his brother, the Rev. Meredith K. Lasley; and a grandson, Mark Allen Lasley II.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, Jan. 30, from 3 to 5 and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Rodman Neeper Funeral Home, 1510 W. William St., Delaware. Funeral services will be held at the Delaware Bible Church, 45 Belle Ave., Delaware, on Thursday, Jan. 31, at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Marvin Hintz officiating. Burial will follow in Prospect Cemetery.
The family requests donations in Rev. Lasley’s memory be directed either to Willow Brook Christian Communities, 100 Willow Brook Way S, Delaware, OH 43015; or to Hospice at Grady, 561 W. Central Ave., Delaware, OH 43015.
