Thomas Zimmer Lafferty

Thomas Zimmer Lafferty passed away on Tuesday, August 25th. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Susan Lafferty. Tom leaves behind his children: his son, Kevin (Joan), and grandchildren, Reid and Sienna; and his daughter, Lise (Jason), and grandchildren, Kaitlin and Carter. Through his marriage to Susan, he is also survived by his stepdaughters, Amy (Farhad) Kosari, and Mary Flack (Eugene Smith), along with Mary’s children, Audrey and Vivienne.

Tom was a loving and loyal father, husband, and friend. Those who knew him were touched by his kindness and deep sense of appreciation of those around him. He was an avid learner of history, enjoying books and historical buildings across the country. In his early 20s, he developed a strong passion for the outdoors and overnight camps where he supported young people to connect with nature, develop their confidence, and challenge themselves. He went on to work as a case worker for the Illinois Department of Public Aid, where he developed a reputation as being approachable within the communities he worked.

Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, Tom was a lifelong fan of Ohio State Buckeyes football. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in sociology and then progressed to postgraduate studies where he obtained a JD. Throughout his life, he retained his sense of connection with the outdoors, his commitment to supporting college football, and his dedication to ensuring those he cared about felt his generosity of spirit. 

He will be greatly missed.