Thomas D. “Tom” Metcalf

Thomas David Metcalf, age 81, Vinton, Ohio went to be with the Lord on November 25, 2022, at Mount Carmel Hospital in Grove City, Ohio. He was born February 20, 1941, at home in Vinton, Ohio to Lester Raymond and Myrtle Emily (Franklin) Metcalf.

He married Fannie Marie Harmon Wheeler on February 13, 1965, and she survives. He is also survived by a son, Mark (Laurie) Wheeler, Roswell, Georgia, a granddaughter, Lindsey Wheeler, Sandy Springs, Georgia, a grandson, Christopher Thomas Wheeler, Lawrence, Kansas, a sister, Phyllis (Kail) Burleson, Bidwell, Ohio, nieces Connie (Rob) Massie and Vickie (Steve) Stairs, nephews Bill (Penny) Burleson and David (Lisa) Burleson, 6 great nieces, 9 great nephews, and many great-great nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Lester and Myrtle Metcalf.

A lifelong member of the Vinton, Ohio community, Tom attended Vinton Elementary and graduated from North Gallia High School. He was the first drum major of the North Gallia High School band. Following high school, Tom attended Rio Grande College and studied teacher education. He later obtained a two-year cadet certificate and taught briefly at Bidwell-Porter Elementary. Tom was employed by various companies including Pure Oil Service Station, Hanna Paint, Gallia County Welfare Office, and Kaiser Aluminum. He worked for American Electric Power for 27 years starting at the Gavin Power Plant and retiring from the Mountaineer Power Plant in 2001. Throughout his life, Tom enjoyed working with people of all ages. He was a scout master of Boy Scout Troop #214 for 12 years with one scout earning Eagle Scout status. Tom served as a youth leader, deacon, and trustee, and taught Sunday School at Vinton Baptist Church where he was a member. An avid history buff, he was a Civil War re-enactor, member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Cadot -Blessing Camp #126, and the local historian of the Vinton-Ewington community. Tom served 15 years as a Governing Board member of the Gallia-Vinton Educational Service Center. He enjoyed volunteering with afterschool programs and teacher field studies. In 2012, Tom received a state award in Leadership and Service from the Ohio Educational Service Center Association (OESCA). He was a member of the Vinton Masonic Lodge #131 and Vinton OES #375.

Tom had many interests and hobbies and he took adult education classes at Buckeye Hills Career Center to learn electrical wiring.  He liked to travel, fish, hunt, invent items, garden, and visit yard sales and in his earlier days he enjoyed racing cars.  He had many projects and his first one was to build a 1965 Plymouth from the frame up. Tom built a kettle corn machine and was famously known for "Uncle Tom's" kettle corn. He also invented an ice cream machine that operated on bicycle pedaling.

Visitation will be held at the Vinton Baptist Church on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 from 4:00-7:00 P.M. The funeral service will be at the church on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. with lunch for family and friends after interment in the Vinton Memorial Cemetery.  Arrangements are under the direction of the McCoy-Moore Funeral Home, Vinton.

Donations in his honor may be made to the Holzer Center for Cancer Care, 170 Jackson Pike, Gallipolis, OH 45631.