Thomas William Ables, Jr., age 78, died on May 17, 2019, at Madison Center, from complication of GIST cancer.
Tom was born April 8, 1941, to the late Mary Ables in Weston. He was a 1959 graduate of Weston High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He later transferred to the U.S. Army where he was a railroad MP in Frankfurt, Germany.
When he retired, he graduated from Glenville State College and was employed by Mon Power. Tom owned his own building Company, Able Builders, for over 20 years. After earning a master’s degree from WVU, he became a special needs teacher at Northern Garett High School, in Maryland, for 20 years. Until his 2008 retirement, he was instrumental in starting a local soccer league in the county and was the head soccer coach at Northern. He was also the sponsor of mock trial teams.
Tom was an active veteran and belonged to VFW Post 9916 and the U.S. Marine Corps. League 342 in Morgantown. His passion was becoming a veteran researcher and delved full steam ahead. Tom found 33 veterans that were never recognized in Morgantown and three from the Vietnam War. He put together a memorial service with their family members in May of 2017. He was also featured in a documentary called “Stop Train 349” after locating a German refugee who had been trying to escape the Russians during the Cold War in 1961.
Tom loved to travel with his wife, Gloria, and they became European enthusiasts traveling to Germany, Italy, France and Austria.
Tom is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Gloria; his children, Michael (Dannette) Ables, of Winchester, Kimberly (Thomas) Ryan, of Pittsburgh, and Chris Ables, of Coral Springs, Fla. Tom adored his grandchildren who were the light of his life, triplets, Hunter, Allie and Jacob Ryan and Jenna and Mason Ables. Tom is also survived by his brother, John Ables and sister-in-law, Judy Ables, of Joppa, Md.; and two nephews. He was a fun, loving, and devoted grandfather.
In addition to his mother, Tom was preceded in death by his sister, Susan; and mother-in-law, Florence Olczak.
Family and friends will be received at Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home from 4 -7 p.m. on Monday, May 20, and from 10 a.m. on Tuesday, until the 11 a.m. funeral service with Chaplin Kenny Reed officiating. Full military honors will be conducted. Honoring Tom’s wishes, cremation services will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Earl Anderson Marine Corps. League, Detachment 342 at P.O. Box 1507 Morgantown, WV 26507.
Condolences: fredljenkinsfuneralhome.com.
