Thomas E. Neff, age 95, passed away August 24, 2026, at Kemper House in Highland Heights, Ohio.

Tom is survived by Jo Ann his wife of 72 years, four children Mark E. Neff (Elizabeth) of Alma, MI, Dean L. Neff (Caryle) of South Bend, IN, Ken J. Neff of Washington Township, OH and Jane A. Pernicone (Stephan) of Mayfield Heights, OH; six grandchildren Stevan (Miranda), Kelley (Travis), Kathryn (Randall), James (Briana), Claire (Benjamin) and David; three great grandchildren Nora, Owen and Willow.

He was born on January 14, 1931, in Dayton, Ohio, the son (and tenth child) of the late Ora Harper Neff and Rhea Eugenia Cord Neff. In addition to his parents, Thomas (Tom) was preceded in death by his 9 siblings; Robert Neff, John Neff, Dorothy Madden, Margaret McCoy, Phyllis Pfersich, Betty Westendorf, Richard Neff, William Neff and Roger Neff.

After graduating from Wilber Wright High School (Dayton) in 1949, Tom attended Yale University, graduating in 1953. He served his country in the United States Army for over 3 years achieving the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Tom began his career in Human Resources (HR) with the Sheffield Corporation in Dayton and went on to become an HR Executive with multiple companies including the Bendix Corporation, AlliedSignal and Lobdell Emery. During his career he earned his MBA from Michigan State University in 1972 and became a recognized fundraiser for both Yale and MSU.

After his military service ended in Pittsburgh, PA, his career began in Dayton, OH. From there, Tom and family moved to Detroit, MI, Burlington, WA, Wyckoff, NJ, Chagrin Falls, OH, Royal Oak, MI, Alma, MI, and finally settled back in Chagrin Falls. At each stop along in his travels, he was able to find an American Baptist Church home and developed many lasting friendships. He especially enjoyed socializing with the SEWCAMS and Cats & Dogs.

Volunteerism was important to Tom as he took on leadership roles in many organizations over the years. Tom was a long-serving President of the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre in Chagrin Falls, OH orchestrating many successful fundraising efforts to maintain and improve the facilities.  He was instrumental in the acquisition of the River Street Playhouse and the expansion of the main building. The theatre became his and Jo Ann’s passion while living in Chagrin Falls.

Tom enjoyed spending time with family and friends, whether visiting or on the golf course. He was one of the leaders in the Annual Gene Westendorf Memorial Golf Tournament which raised money for the St. Vincent Hotel in Dayton.  The companion event, the Neff family golf outing, was a highlight of each summer as he got to spend time with myriad nieces, nephews and their families. He was also an avid softball player playing for Dayton Power & Light, church teams and work leagues.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all donations in Tom’s honor be directed to either the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre  www.cvlt.org , First Baptist Church of Dayton, OH  www.fbcdayton.org  or to First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland  www.firstbaptistcleveland.org .

The family invites you to a Memorial Service at 1 PM on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland, 3630 Fairmount Blvd, Shaker Heights, OH 44118.  In honor of Tom, we invite you to wear Yale Blue or Spartan Green to the service as a special way to celebrate and remember him.