Thomas Oscar (Papaw) Kress, 76, of Stow, Ohio, was called home to glory on the evening of October 9, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones. Tom was born at his grandmother's home in Beallsville, Ohio August 28, 1950, lived in Twinsburg, Ohio and graduated from Twinsburg high school. He went on to enlist in the U.S. Army, distinguishing himself as a Sargent in the First Armored Cavalry in the Vietnam war. He studied drafting while stationed at Fort Hood Texas, which would become his career, although he always considered himself first and foremost a cartoonist.

Upon returning stateside, Tom met and eventually married his wife of 52 years, Sharon, and had two sons, Donald Everett Kress (Emily Kress) and Steven Roy Kress. He was known as "Papaw" to his five beloved grandchildren, Audrey, Casey, Robbie, Holley and Charlie, as well as to the numerous nieces, nephews grand nieces and grand nephews and more than a few neighborhood kids (all named "The Bobs,") and some who may or may not have been involved in the great automotive creeper disappearance of the late 1990s.

Tom, who could, and often did, whistle loud enough to be heard two neighborhoods over when he wanted to call the kids home for dinner, was frequently to be found in the kitchen, perfecting his traditional July 4th pancakes, homemade bread, chili, cowboy cookies, and soup. Although he was ever a frustrated gardener, he nonetheless always enjoyed a home-grown tomato sandwich on homemade bread while he sat on the back porch watching squirrels try (and fail) to jump onto his bird feeder.

Throughout his life, Tom had an uncanny knack for finding four-leaf clovers, enjoyed fishing, motorcycling, and his occasional Italian sausage sandwich with a beer.

In his later years, Tom took to artistic carving, producing a number of one-of-a-kind pieces he gave to special people in his life. During this time, he joined and became a 32nd-degree Scottish Rite Freemason and member of Rockton lodge #316 in Kent, Ohio. After retirement, Tom began what would become a tireless advocacy for the rights and well-being of the veterans of the US Armed forces, as well as an avowed enemy of the backyard squirrel population.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a monetary gift to support either the Wounded Warrior Project or the Gary Sinise Foundation, organizations which Tom felt helped United States Veterans through their advocacy and support.

A memorial service is planned for noon on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at Twin Falls United Methodist Church, 60 N. River Rd. Munroe Falls, OH 44262

Internment to take place at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery on the 23rd of October with immediate family in attendance.