Thomas Jeffrey Headrick

Thomas Jeffrey Headrick, 44, passed away tragically on December 17, 2022. He was on his way home from one of his favorite activities with one of his favorite people: a Browns game with his daughter Addison.

Tom was born on June 3, 1978 to Donald and Donna Headrick. He graduated from Tallmadge High School in 1996 and went on to study criminal justice at The University of Akron. He graduated from the Columbus Corrections Training Academy and worked as a corrections officer in Indian River Correctional Facility before returning to the Tallmadge area to work at Dan Street. Tom continued to be a part of Tallmadge High School as an educational aide and a football coach. He began working in landscaping in 2002 and established HHC Lawncare in 2007. He also owned HHC Property Management and KBA Property Management in Vero Beach, Florida. He has spent endless summers beautifying personal and commercial spaces and endless winters ensuring the roads are clear for students and community members.

Tom was a lifetime member of Our Lady of Victory Church, where he served as an altar boy, was active in their youth programs, and later served as a eucharistic minister. He played CYO basketball and also went on to coach and referee for the program. Tom was especially proud to coach the CYO basketball team to the state championship. He was active in local Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and played on his first tee ball team through Tallmadge Little League.

Tom's involvement in and for the Tallmadge community was boundless. As President of Tallmadge Little League, he advocated for and provided opportunities for young athletes to learn, grow, and enjoy themselves through a community-based athletic program. His involvement with kids and athletics did not stop there; he worked closely with the Tallmadge Athletic Boosters to guarantee the best athletic opportunities for students throughout the district. As Tallmadge Chamber of Commerce trustee and current President, he sought out new opportunities for the community and businesses to work together for the betterment of the city. He was currently working with administration at the high school to find ways for students to connect with businesses for authentic experiences that may help students decide their post-graduation pathway. As Circle Fest Parade Organizer, he made sure all parts of the parade and the renowned community event went smoothly so that residents could enjoy themselves and the yearly event.

Tom's proudest community involvements included coaching his children's teams and watching those groups of kids learn and grow. His daughter Kathryn's basketball team was one of the first teams he coached, a group of girls who have stayed close throughout the years. Tom, along with his assistant coaches, created the first Tallmadge Bomb Squad team in 2013 for his son Brady and teammates. This team (and the multiple Bomb Squads that have followed) has provided opportunities for Tallmadge athletes to strengthen their baseball skills through summer ball. Tom was recently coaching his daughter Addison's Tallmadge Force softball team. He loved coaching so many athletes, but especially his children.

Aside from working for the Tallmadge community, Tom's favorite thing was family. Tom grew up playing sports with his brothers and camping, boating, and vacationing with family. Tom and Julie were lucky to have their families closeby. From endless sports activities to family camping trips and Disney cruises, their parents and other family members played an integral role in their lives and the lives of their children. Tom and Julie created amazing experiences for their kids, their parents, and extended family and friends who are family: multiple days of Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities, the biggest Fourth of July celebration with an unmatched fireworks show led by Tom, multiple cruises to new destinations, and many trips to Florida to spend time with both of their parents and Aunt Joan and Uncle Denny in Vero Beach.

Tom and Julie met in elementary school but their relationship blossomed when they worked closely while Julie was the manager at Maca Pool and Tom worked for the City of Tallmadge. Tallmadge brought them together; so it was only fitting that when they got married in 2003, they chose to continue their journey and provide a home for their children in Tallmadge. Kathryn created new joy for them in 2005, Brady brought them a boy in 2007, and Addison completed their family in 2013. Supporting his children and their endeavors was of utmost importance to Tom, as he was always seeking out any and all opportunities for his three children. He was always coaching -whether as an official coach or as a coach from the stands - at least one of their teams. If you saw him in passing, he was most likely headed to a practice or game.

Tom's #1, his partner in all of the many things they were a part of, was his wife Julie. They supported each other in every idea, every adventure, every next initiative in order to best support their family, their friends, and their community. He was incredibly involved himself but always made sure to praise his wife as well. They started out as friends and coworkers, created their journey into marriage and parenthood, and continued on as each other's biggest cheerleader for all they made possible for their family and so many other people.

Tom was preceded in death by his grandparents, Papa Donald and Mary Kathryn Hope, George and Rosa Lee Headrick; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Charles and Sandra Forejt.

Tom is survived by his wife, Julie; his children, Kathryn, Brady, and Addison; his parents, Don and Donna of Tallmadge; brothers, Mike of Rootstown and Joe of Ellet; nephews, Brandon and Austin; Aunt Janet and Uncle Stan of Tallmadge; Aunt Dinah and Uncle Jeff Dolly of Tallmadge; Uncle Karl of Akron; Aunt Mary and Aunt Karen of California; cousins, Stephanie (Jeff) Sluzala of Aurora, Sara (Tony) Osco of Tallmadge, Crystal Dolly, Kim Dolly, Christopher Moore, and Jessica Moore of Akron, Nicole (Jessie) Williams of Colorado; brother-in-law, Michael (Julie) Forejt of Columbus and sister-in-law, Rachel (Eric) Kreidler of Dublin; niece and nephew, Hannah and Jacob Kreidler.

Family and friends will be received from 3 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at the Donovan Funeral Home, 17 Southwest Ave (off the Historic Tallmadge Circle).

Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 22, 2020 at Our Lady of Victory Church, 73 North Ave, Tallmadge, with Rev. Michael Matusz officiating. There will be a celebration of life immediately following for family and friends. The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed on Our Lady of Victory's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ourladyofvictorychurchtallmadge/.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tallmadge Little League (P.O. Box 328, Tallmadge) or in memory of Tom for a Tallmadge High School scholarship in his name. Donations for the scholarship can be mailed to the Tallmadge Foundation (P.O. Box 62, Tallmadge).

Interment will be at Tallmadge Cemetery.

Tallmadge Little League
P.O. Box 328, Tallmadge OH 44278

Tallmadge Foundation - Tom Headrick Scholarship Fund
PO Box 62, Tallmadge OH 44278