On Tuesday, January 24, 2017 Edward Tomon Sr.

went home to be with his Lord and Savior

leaving behind a large, loving family. Born July 30, 1934 in Cleveland, Ohio, Ed showed
initiative from an early age while working as a Printing Apprentice at Wirtshafter's Inc. during
high school. Anxious to see the world, Ed joined the Marine Corps in August 1951 and was
sent to North Carolina for boot camp. With time at Camp LeJeune and Paris Island, he
served in the Korean War and earned a Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service
Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation for
his exemplary service. After an honorable discharge in July 1954, Ed returned to work at the
American Greetings factory as a repair mechanic.

It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Rose Marie Herald. In October 1954,
Rose and Ed both attended a dance at a community center in Cincinnati. When Ed saw
Rose standing near the wall alone he asked, "Why aren't you dancing?" To which, she
replied, "No one has asked." That night, the beautiful 17 year-old Rose Herald danced into
a Marine's life and changed it forever. Ed and Rose fell in love and eloped in February. Ten
months later, in December, Edward Jr. was born, followed by Evelyn in 1959, and Patricia in
1963. 2017 marks the 62nd anniversary of their marriage.

Ever so proud of his professional accomplishments, Ed was a chemist specializing in print

and ink. He formulated the famous "Marlboro Red" as well as numerous other iconic color
recipes and grandchildren have described how Ed would mix up batches of glow-in-the-dark
paint, nail polish, and his own automotive fluids. After working with Borden's Chemical Inc.
for many years, Ed's skills were in high demand and he accepted positions in many different
states while advancing himself professionally. Later in his career, he was a highly skilled
and sought after specialist in his trade. By the time he was ready to retire, he was without
equal. In 1997, he and Rose settled in Leesburg, Virginia, and moved to Lakeland, Florida
in 2001.

A world traveler, Ed had visited numerous countries while a Marine, and together with Rose
had cruised the Caribbean many times. With a curious mind and a carefree heart, Ed found
joy cruising Hawaii in a red convertible, a craft beer, or meeting a fellow Marine wherever he
went.

Ed was a walking encyclopedia of unique trivia and information. He was never shy to give
his opinion, advice, or tell a joke, his quick wit and temperament made his impish humor a
delightful addition to any social gathering.

Proud of his Polish heritage, Ed was the president of the Polish-American Society in
Richmond, VA, and was chairperson of one of the largest pierogi festivals in the state. He
loved Roses homemade cabbage rolls and haluski. Also a connoisseur of potato chips and
hard pretzels, he could snack with the best of them. No tin of popcorn ever bested him.
Whether it was the first brick cellphone, Betamax, a video camcorder, VCR, or numerous
big screen televisions, he was always on the cutting edge of the electronic world. Ed was an
avid movie watcher, an interest that he loved to "share" with others.

Ed Tomon was the best husband, father, grandpa, brother-in-law, and great-grandpa his
family and friends could ever have. From now on, a chance whiff of Calvin Klein
Obsession--Eds signature scent for over 20 years--will be a sweet reminder of the precious
memories he created.

He is survived by his wife Rose; three children, Edward and Michele Tomon, Evelyn and
Robert Burchfield, and Patricia and Richard Wilmoth; eleven grandchildren, Joshua and
Laura Tomon, Jessica Tyree, Jamie and Sean Gorten, Jennifer and Ernie Shine, Robert and
Jessica Burchfield, Carrie and Robert Wright, Erin Burchfield, Timothy Burchfield,
Christopher Wilmoth, Anthony Wilmoth, and Richard Wilmoth; and thirteen great-
grandchildren, Peyton Tomon, Atalie, Ramsey, and Phineas Gorten, Isabella and Violet
Shine, Dylan and Greyson Tyree, Georgia and Dianne Wright, and Olivia, Scarlett, and
Gage Wilmoth.