Thomas Lavender

Thomas Lavender passed away peacefully at Duke Hock Family Pavilion on July 19, 2025. He was 82. Tom was born March 9, 1943, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Paul and Florence Lavender. He grew up in Ann Arbor and was an avid hockey player, hunter, and marksman. He met the love of his life, Susan Kagay, at Pioneer High School. He graduated from Northwood University in 1963 and attended Ferris State University. Tom and “Susie” were married in 1964 and began their life together in Ann Arbor. They had three children, Wendy, Paula, and Mark. Dad became a member of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada in 1964, a Master Plumber and Pipefitter in 1970, and eventually served as a Trustee for Local 190. Over the years he supervised large-scale projects including many at the University of Michigan and automotive plants in Southeastern Michigan and Indiana. He took great pride in his trade and was known for his exceptional work ethic and unwavering loyalty to the union. After retirement, Dad became an instructor for the Union Journeymen and Apprentice Training Program and was known for his no-nonsense manner. Dad was a Freemason and became a Master Mason in the Manchester, MI Masonic Lodge. In 1973 Dad and Mom built their dream home and established Hill Water Farm in Sharon Township, MI. Over the years they had large vegetable gardens and raised geese, chickens, turkeys, sheep, horses, and steers. Dad loved farming and created a beautiful stocked pond he was very proud of. They had many beloved pet dogs, cats, and goats over the years; Dad’s last companion dog Floyd preceded him in 2022. Dad and Mom enjoyed traveling and visited Hawaii, hiked the Grand Canyon, Saint Thomas, California, cruised to Alaska, and had many family vacations in the Carolinas. In 2017 they moved to Balsam in the mountains of North Carolina. They moved to Durham NC in 2019 and made many friends in their Beth Page community. Tom was preceded in death by his beloved wife Susie, parents, sister Tammy Howe, and niece Anne Lidster. He is survived by his children, Wendy Lavender of Raleigh, NC, Paula Lavender of Durham, NC, and Mark Lavender of Adrian, MI, granddaughter Hanna Lavender and great-grandson Harvey Sivyer, nieces Lori Kagay, Patty Reiter, and nephew Eugene Lidster. Our Dad will be remembered for his prankster sense of humor, hard work, and thorough enjoyment of conversation with everyone he met. We miss him very much. Given Dad’s love of animals, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Animal Protection Society of Durham or other rescue organizations.

The Lavender family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com – select obituaries.