Thomas Eugene Dorner

Thomas Eugene Dorner, age 87, of Bellbrook, OH, devoted Husband, Father, Grandfather, Veteran, and Friend passed away peacefully while sleeping on October 19, 2026.

He was first and foremost a devoted husband. His love for his wife, Carol, was evident in the little things he did every day for her. Whether it was bringing her fresh flowers, writing daily love notes, getting her favorite doughnuts, making egg sandwiches on the weekend, or simply sharing life's adventures together, he showed that love is not just something you say, but something you do. When she passed away recently, he was truly heartbroken. They were married for 59 years and never had an argument. They were rarely apart, running a business together, working together and living together with harmony and grace.

Born to the late Rudy and Nora (Hunt) Dorner and raised in Sidney, OH, he graduated from Holy Angels High School in 1957. He was a hardworking man from a young age, working 40 hours a week while still in high school. Following high school, he joined the Army where he served 2 years & was later called back to serve another year. He went on to work for Van Dyne Crotty in Dayton. While he was naturally conservative and careful, Carol had a way of encouraging him to take chances. Together they made bold decisions that shaped their lives for the better, including leaving secure jobs in Dayton to move back to Sidney and take over running the family car lot. His work ethic never faded. He believed deeply in earning what you had and often shared the philosophy that guided his life: "The harder you work, the luckier you get." And that work started early, if you slept too late, you might hear a knock from him on the door at 7:01 a.m. followed by, "In an hour, it will be going on 9:00 am."

Together, Tom & Carol built their dream home at Norris Lake, which became the center of countless family memories. The lake was his happy place. It was where family traditions were created and where their kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews learned what summer was supposed to feel like. Swimming off the dock, tubing & skiing behind the boat, “golf ball hunting,” falling off the balance board, rubber-band gun target practice, and jumping off the bridge are just a few of the many fun activities shared with family and friends at Norris Lake. He proudly considered himself the world's best water ski teacher, and anyone who learned behind his boat knew he took that title seriously. His enjoyment of the water lasted a lifetime. Even in his seventies, he could spend a day wakeboarding, water skiing, trick skiing, slalom skiing, knee boarding, and bridge jumping, all without slowing down. He even made day trips to the lake just to jump off the bridge at 80 & 82 years old!

Many people knew him as a great story teller and the life of the party. Friends and family fondly remember gatherings at the house with cars parked out to the street, Christmas celebrations at Rudy and Nora's singing & playing Euchre, and a garage stocked with cases of Old Milwaukee Light "just in case." All were welcome at the Dorner home. He never missed the opportunity for a good laugh, often wearing his collection of funny outfits and occasionally inappropriate T-shirts. The annual birthday song calls he & Carol made will be missed by all who were blessed to receive them.

He taught by example, worked hard, played hard, took care of the people he loved, and made every gathering more fun simply by showing up.

Tom is preceded in death by his wife Carol, brother John, and sister Betty and survived by his daughter, Melissa & husband Vince of Bellbrook, OH; his son, Steve & wife Kim of Wilmington, OH; his grandchildren, Alex of Columbus, OH, Collin of Austin, TX and Ben of Detroit, MI; and many beloved extended family members and friends.

His family will hold a celebration of life at a later date. Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Dayton.

Tom will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him. His family will remember him whenever they see a perfectly calm lake, hear laughter from a crowded dock, shuffle a deck of Euchre cards, spot a frog figurine, or gather together to tell stories about Tom, that get a little better every year.

To share a memory of Tom or leave a special message for his family, please visit the Guestbook below.