Thomas A. Gerdis, Jr.

Thomas A. Gerdis Jr. (Tom) passed peacefully into the arms of his Savior on Monday, December 30, 2024, at the age of 84. Born on April 14, 1940, in New Britain, Connecticut, to Thomas Algerd Gerdis Sr. and Barbara Louise Gerdis (Rowe), Tom was the eldest of four siblings and grew up in Berlin, Connecticut.  Tom’s life was a testament to faith, service, and love. As a boy, he walked to church alone, feeling God’s gentle pull on his heart. This early curiosity blossomed into a lifelong commitment to prayer, worship, and ministry. A man of deep faith, Tom led by example, inspiring countless others to pursue God with their whole hearts. His life was marked by humility and compassion, always interceding in prayer for anyone in need.  

Tom married the love of his life, Judith Bess Gerdis (Bruhn). Their marriage exemplified devotion and partnership. Together, they raised a loving family, pouring their hearts into their children, Trina Dawn Sutherland (Kenny), Joel Timothy Gerdis (Toby Raque), and Micah Stephen Gerdis (Gina Marie). Tom was a proud and doting grandfather to Gideon, Maia, Ivy, Ethan, Benjamin, Julia, Frankie, and Saphi.  

A gifted scholar, Tom graduated from Berlin High School in 1958 and pursued higher education at the University of Connecticut, University of Iowa, Evangel University, and Kansas State University, where he earned a master’s degree in Journalism. Tom served in public relations roles at The Hartford Courant, Kansas State University, and the U.S. Assemblies of God National Office. Tom applied his journalistic expertise at the Nuclear Materials Management Institute, where he excelled at translating technical details into clear, impactful content. Later in Louisville, Kentucky, Tom served in public relations for the Marble Hill Nuclear Power Plant, skillfully managing their communications. Tom’s career culminated in decades of dedicated service in nonprofit development, including leadership roles with the Volunteers of America and the Louisville Central Community Centers (LCCC).  

Tom was honored to sing in the Master’s Men Choir, where his voice was lifted in praise. Tom’s love for sports, particularly UConn Women’s Basketball, the New York Yankees, and the New England Patriots, reflected his passion for athletic competition. He also found immense joy in recent years in participating in nine Bible studies, and regularly attended other prayer meetings, and he loved encouraging men in their walks with Christ.  Tom’s legacy of love, faith, and service will forever live on in the lives of those he touched. He will be deeply missed but joyfully remembered as a man of prayer, a faithful servant, and a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother. He was preceded in death by his parents, Al and Barbara Gerdis, and his younger brother, Alan Timothy Gerdis. 

Tom is survived by his beloved wife, Judith; his children and their spouse; grandchildren; his brother, John Jay Gerdis (Sharon); and his sister, Robin Ann Forcash (Don); as well as many extended family members and dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to In His Grip Ministries (Sherry Stumph) inhisgripministry.org

Visitation will be from 4 to 8pm on Friday, January 10, 2025 at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals and Receptions, East Louisville Chapel, 235 Juneau Drive, Louisville, Kentucky 40243 and on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at Chapel in the Woods, 1407 Moser Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40299.  A celebration of Tom's life will follow at 11am at Chapel in the Woods.  Burial will be in Grove Hill Cemetery, Shelbyville, Kentucky.

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