MICHAEL THOMAS DUYMICH

Born May 9, 1936 in Wheeling, WV to Yugoslavian immigrant parents, Stella (Belant) and Thomas Duymich, Tom was the youngest of a family of eight boys. Tom and his brothers earned their work ethic by growing up on a farm required for family’s sustenance.

Entering life at the cusp of WWII, by 5 years-old all Tom’s brothers, save the three youngest, were serving in the war. Tom told stories that in addition to school, his daily chores included fetching water from the pump house (hundreds of yards downhill), churning butter to accompany his mother’s daily fresh-baked bread, feeding livestock, and keeping the smokehouse fires lit. Once Tom and his brother, in a timesaving measure, decided it more efficient to use a pile of hog hair to feed the smokehouse fire instead of chopping wood. This ingenuity was lost on their father whose response, to the disastrous outcome, was swift.

Although, financially poor, the Duymich farm produced all the food they needed so that when the nation was surviving on war rations, the Duymichs were able to swap all of their rations with neighbors for the two things their farm did not supply, sugar and shoes.

A post-high school delivery job proved serendipitous when a coworker shared photos of her classmates with Tom. Of them, Tom’s saw only one, Judy Lou Christ, his future wife. Judy’s circumstances were opposite than Tom’s on every level. Judy’s family was a small, upper middle class family of two girls whose parents owned a jewelry store downtown. Unfortunately, Judy’s mother was opposed to their match due to Tom’s background confronting him declaring him unworthy and enumerating a long list of pseudo deficiencies. Love won and Tom and Judy married in January 1959, had two sons, before moving to the west coast where they would have three more children. Tom not only provided for his wife and growing family but became a self-taught, respected and renowned diesel and hydraulic mechanic in the concrete pumping industry. Though an enjoyable 29 years in Southern California, Tom and Judy always knew they would return to the Ohio Valley one day. That day arrived in fall of 1992.

Unfamiliar with the word “retire” immediately after arriving to St. Clairsville late November 1992, Tom worked through winter to rebuild their deck then build his dream 4-car garage/workshop. Tom had a passion for classics, over the years lovingly restoring defunct, rusted trucks of the 30s-50s while working locally in the valley as a diesel mechanic. Word spread about his mechanical skills and Tom had more requests than time so he limited his business to tractor repair. At 64, Tom built Judy her dream log home in which they enjoyed 20 years of warm memories.

Five years ago, when required, Tom ceased all, insisting on caring for Judy himself until he was rushed to Wheeling Hospital December 5. Coming from such hearty stock, and rarely sick, all hoped for a rebound. However, although, amazed he had not been completely paralyzed, doctors revealed Tom had been suffering through a painful terminal illness for quite a while in order to care for Judy.

Unfortunately, Tom’s first day of rest was the day he was admitted to the hospital. After spending his lifetime proving his worthiness, Tom peacefully passed just two weeks later demonstrating that an uneducated, Yugoslavian farmer’s son from Tridelphia was not only capable of providing for his beloved wife and family but he was loyal and true caring for her through his own debilitating illness. A larger sacrifice and better testament to love does not exist. Though a periodic curmudgeon, Tom’s heart was huge, his spirit, generous, and his dedication to family unwavering. He is, and always will be, deeply missed by his family and friends.

Tom was joined in heaven by his parents, seven brothers, beloved and kind father-in-law, reformed mother-in-law and mostly joyously, his adored and much missed Jack Russell “Doodle”.

Surviving are his loving wife of 62 years, Judy; his five children, Tim, Tom Jr., Tedd, Christine and Susan, 11 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Private services will be at the convenience of the family with burial in Richland Cemetery, St. Clairsville. Arrangements are entrusted to Toothman Funeral Home.