Thomas Frank Orthman's Obituary
Thomas Frank Orthman, Sr. passed away at 1:20 p. m. February 20, 2014. He was born July 25, 1934 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the son of Wilmer Herman Orthman and Hester Mary Gronau Orthman. They preceded him in death. He left to cherish his loving memory, his beloved wife of 57 years: Dorothy “Dot” McKeeman Orthman. They were united in marriage on September 1, 1956. He is survived by his son, Thomas Frank Orthman, Jr., his daughter Deborah Orthman Norris, her husband J. Lee Norris and their two daughters, Jessica Nicole Norris and Stephanie Elizabeth Norris, all of Fort Myers, Florida. Tom’s brothers, Jack W. Orthman and his wife Louise Howard Orthman live in Paulding, Ohio, and James Neil Orthman and his wife Rosa Delgado Orthman are from Fort Wayne, Indiana. Tom’s sister Karen C. Orthman McKeeman and her husband David A. McKeeman also live in Fort Wayne. Tom served honorably in the United States Naval Reserve and the United States Navy for eight years and was on active duty in the Mediterranean Sea aboard the USS Monrovia APA 31 for two years. He attended the School of Business at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. Tom’s long time dream of moving to Lee County Florida came true in 1963. He was employed at First Federal Savings and Loan Association for thirty-one years. He was President and Chairman of the Board when he retired in August, 1994. He was committed to his faith, family and community and gave generously of his time, energy, and finances. He raised millions of dollars for charitable organizations. Tom received many awards for his service. He and Dot were named Altruists of the Year. Tom had been extremely active in the financial industry throughout Florida as well as locally in Fort Myers. He served as Chairman of the Florida League of Financial Institutions and directed the League’s merger with the Florida Bankers Association. He was Chairman of the Board of Florida Informanagement Services which provided financial data for member banks and savings and loans in Florida, as well as, the southeastern part of the United States. Locally, he was President of the Edison Festival of Light, in accordance with the Edison Pageant of Light, a member of the Executive Committee with the Advisory Council of the University of South Florida’s Fort Myers campus. He also participated in the initial development of the Florida Gulf Coast University. He was active in Rotary, the United Way, Kiwanis, the Southwest Florida Boy Scout Council, Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Property Owners, Business Development Council of Lee County, Lee Healthcare Resources, Cypress Cove at HealthPark, and Saint Michael Lutheran Church and School. He was a Past Commodore of the Royal Palm Yacht Club and President of the Blue Gavel. He built and flew remote controlled airplanes, enjoyed bowling, boating, fishing., watching football, baseball and any sport which his children or grandchildren played. He loved family gatherings and recorded them in photos and home movies. Visitation will be at the Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL 33907, 239-936-0555 from 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM on Friday, February 28, 2014. A celebration of Tom’s life will be held at Saint Michael Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3595 Broadway at Carrell Road in Fort Myers at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2014, with Reverend Jon Zehnder officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Saint Michael Lutheran Church and School Foundation 3595 Broadway, Fort Myers, FL 33901 Or The Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center 12468 Brantley Commons Court, Fort Myers, FL 33907 Guest register is available at wwwfortmyersmemorial.comFuneral arrangements are under the direction of the Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.
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