Obituaries

Thomas G. Schumacher, (the Colonel), of Florence KY, died peacefully at his daughter’s home in Walton, KY. on November 2, 2025 at the age of 82. In the days preceding his death, he was surrounded by family and friends, and he felt love, warmth and admiration from all. Colonel Tom, also known lovingly as Grandpa Tom, Uncle Tom, Thomas the Train, Gidsey, George, and simply “Dad” was born on February 4, 1943 and was the son of the late Paul Schumacher, Sr. and Ethel Mae (Stahl) Schumacher.

In his early years, Tom attended grade school at Saint Therese School and he enjoyed growing up with his brothers Paul and Jim at their childhood home in Southgate, KY. He attended Covington Latin School where he completed grades 7-12 in a condensed period of 4 years and then went on to attend college and law school at Villa Madonna College (now Thomas More University) and University of Cincinnati. Tom was drafted during the Vietnam War and the U.S. Army quickly recognized him as a young attorney and commissioned him as an officer to work in Saigon, where he served his country by assisting countless soldiers with their wills and other legal needs. He would go on to serve his country in the National Guard for nearly 30 years where he proudly but humbly achieved the rank of Colonel. When he wasn’t serving in the National Guard on extended weekends or on special assignments, Tom’s primary career was as an Internal Auditor with the IRS where he retired with full pension.

To say Colonel Tom was an active retiree would be a huge understatement. While “retired,” he worked for many years at CSX moving freight cars and assembling trains in their rail yard. Over the years, he also served as a tax accountant preparing tax returns each year for hundreds of loyal customers who all had his personal cell phone number and many of whom knew him as a friend. Tom was a remarkably hard worker and he held many other jobs over the years like driving cars for Avis Rental and at his favorite job, by far, working as a mutual teller at various race tracks like Turfway Park, Churchill Downs, and Keeneland Race Park, to name a few…

Tom loved interacting with the customers, teaching newcomers how to place a proper bet on the horses and the numerous friendships he made with other tellers and employees. Above all else, Colonel Tom was a family man. He married his childhood sweetheart, Peggy Sue, on August 10, 1968 and he and Peg raised two beautiful children, Kevin and Tammy. He was blessed with six grandchildren and two great grandchildren who all loved and respected him. Having come from humble beginnings, it was tremendously important to Tom that he deliver security for his family- and he worked hard to make sure his children and grandchildren were provided for, long after his time here on earth. His caring legacy will be felt for many years to come.

As part of life with family and friends, Colonel Tom was an avid golfer. He developed his skills in the army, served as both secretary and President for the IRS Golf League for many years, and loved to play with his railroad buddies at CSX and with his family in local golf outings and tournaments. Like everything Tom did, he approached golf with great focus and intensity and he collected countless trophies and awards over the years. Everyone wanted to play golf with Tom, and nobody wanted to play against him! Tom loved to read and has a full library (hundreds) of Reader’s Digest condensed books. He also played Sudoku several times per week, loved the word jumbles in the daily newspaper and couldn’t get enough of his favorite comic strip- Pearls before Swine by Stephan Pastis. Tom would often laugh out loud at his favorite character, Rat! Many of us will also miss playing a friendly but competitive game of chess with the Colonel (who most always won) and we will cherish our memories of “the horse game” on vacations and special occasions.

Tom cared deeply about his relationship with God and with the Catholic church. Until he became very ill, he never missed a Sunday service... He served as an alter boy at Saint Therese Church as a young man, volunteered for various activities at church as an adult, and he never took a first bite at dinner until he took time to thank God for all of the blessings that had been bestowed upon him. He took great comfort in knowing he would someday meet Christ and join Peg, his Mom and Dad, and all those family members and friends who passed before him, in eternal peace.

Thomas G. Schumacher was an exceptional man and we will miss him, but we are celebrating in our hearts as he rejoins his partner in life, Peggy Sue, in heaven where they can now be together again and smile down on their family with love, pride and joy. In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy. He is survived by his son Kevin (Michele) Schumacher and daughter Tamara (Keith) McClure; his grandchildren Korey Schumacher, Shannon McClure, Conner McClure, Trevor Schumacher, Casey McClure and Sydney Schumacher; his great grandchildren Niko Schumacher and Ellawynn Fullwood; and his brothers Paul (Vickie) Schumacher and James (Patricia) Schumacher.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM Friday, November 7,2025, at St. Henry's Catholic Church in Erlanger. Visitation will be Thursday from 5-8 PM at Floral Hills Funeral Home and one hour prior to the Mass at the Church. Burial to follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens with military graveside rites.