Thomas Hal Waltz

Thomas Hal Waltz – age 84, died June 29, 2022 in Alcoa, TN.  Tom was born on May 11, 1938 to Mr. and Mrs. Charlie V. Waltz (deceased) in Williamsport, IN.  After high school graduation, he attended Hanover College in 1956-57, where he met his future wife, Ruth Ann Holmes, of Elkhart, IN.  They were married September 1, 1958 on Labor Day.  Tom often joked that it was a labor of love.  Tom and Ruth Ann moved to Greencastle, IN, where Tom continued his education at DePauw University, and where their first child, Julia, was born.  After graduation in 1960, he moved his family to Elkhart where he had accepted a job as Assistant Advertising Director of Ziesel’s Department Store, and later as sales Promotion/Advertising Director for several years.  Tom and Ruth Ann were married 61 years and had 4 children – Julie Mcfarlane (Anthony), Jeffrey (Patty), and twins Susan Waltz (Knopf), and Sarah Elizabeth Waltz.  Sarah preceded him in death in January, 1998.  He also leaves behind 3 precious grandchildren, Elizabeth Boles, Emilie and Matthew Hughes, and nephew Jim Waltz (Lisa) and their 6 children.  He was preceded in death by his brother, James Charles Waltz of Baldwin City, KS. Tom was a past director of the Retail Advertising Conference in Chicago, a member of Central Christian Church in Elkhart, IN, a past member of Tyrian Masonic Lodge of Elkhart, and the Scottish Rite Valley of South Bend, IN.  Tom enjoyed his retail advertising career in several fine department stores in IN, NC, AL, FL, and TN, and retired in Alcoa, TN after 45 years in the business.  His favorite pastime was playing Bridge with friends at the Senior Center, playing Rummikub with family and friends, antiquing, and working in his garden and yard.  The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at Smith’s Life Event Center, 1404 Tuckaleechee Pike, Maryville, TN 37803. A memorial service will be held at Rice Cemetery in Elkhart in September.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Central Christian Church in Elkhart, where he and his wife were married. His beloved Aussiedoodle, “Charlie”, remains with his only grandson, Matthew.  Smith Funeral & Cremation Service 865-983-1000 www.smithlifeandlegacy.com