Thomas A.
Nell
Died
September 2, 2017
LAKE LEELANAU – Thomas
Allen Nell, 80, of Lake Leelanau went home to his Savior Saturday, Sept. 2,
2017.
Tom was born on Dec. 18,
1936 in Hanover, PA, the son of Chester and Kathryn (Pfaff) Nell. On April 13,
1957 in Gettysburg, PA, he married Marilyn Ruof, who
survives.
Tom earned a BA from
Gettysburg College and a BSME from Penn State. Upon graduation, he was a
mechanical engineer with Pontiac Motor Division. After leaving Pontiac, he
started a new chapter and was a business owner of Tom Nell Bicycles, in
partnership with his wife Marilyn, for 25 years. In 1997, he retired and moved
to his home in God's Country, with a beautiful view of Good Harbor
Bay.
Tom was blessed with many
God given talents: Woodworking, including building a beautiful octagon porch;
building performance engines for NASCAR, NHRA and SCCA; and racing mountain
bikes and winning seven Michigan Mountain Biking Championships (in his class).
Tom was a member of LCUMC and previously served as church treasurer. He was
also a statistician, volunteer coordinator and past president of LCN. In his
spare time, he enjoyed playing cards with the Tuesday bridge
group.
His achievements and
kindness were countless, but he attributed his success to determination and to
the Glory of God.
He was a loving husband,
father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to everyone. He will be
greatly missed.
In addition to his loving
wife of 60 years, Tom is survived by his children, Jeff Nell, Cristi Nell, Vicki
(Alan) Craker, and Richard Nell; eight grandchildren, Nick, Katrina, Zach,
Windsor, Austin, Natalie, Jeremy (Heather), and Johnny; one great-grandson,
Liam; and a brother, Phillip Nell of Russell, Iowa.
A celebration of Tom’s
life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 1 p.m. at Leland Community UMC. Rev.
Daniel Hofmann will officiate.
Memorials may be directed
to Leland Community United Methodist Church.
Please share
memories and condolences at www.martinson.info. Arrangements are with
the Martinson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Leelanau.
Tom was a friend to many people in the bicycle world. I met him several years ago at RE Hardwoods.I never knew he was an engineer also.
ReplyDeleteTom and Marilyn were our neighbors for the past 18 years. It's hard to believe that we won't see Tom again. He was a kind, talented and hard working man who will be missed by many. Judy Evans
ReplyDeleteI bought my first Mountain Bike from Tom in 1991 and eventually raced on his team for a few years. Tom and Marilyn treated everyone like family who came into their store. Many great rides and memories!!
ReplyDeleteTom will be sorrowfully missed by many. He was a wonderful and knowledgeable man. I knew him from the times when my son, Jeff, and I snowmobiled. So sorry to read of his passing. Please accept my deepest sympathy. He will be remembered always. Sincerely Larry Conger
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ReplyDeleteMy condolences to Marilyn and family. It has been many years since I have seen my cousin Tom.
ReplyDeleteKathy Rich (Nell)