Obituary of Thomas Thrasher Stern

KEY LARGO - Thomas Thrasher Stern, 51, of Key Largo died Thursday, February 7, 2013 in Key Largo. He was born September 7, 1961, in Norfolk, Virginia to Milford Josiah Stern, Jr. and Joanne Thrasher Stern. Captain Tom was successful in many careers; managing restaurants at Williams Islands Florida Rivera Club in Miami Beach, Peebles and TGIF, a boat captain as well as owner/operator of Tropical Fish Inc. Growing up in Chesapeake Virginia he loved crabbing, fishing and diving associated with his business. Trained the Norfolk shipyards he learned to construct and fix anything. He has been predeceased by his father Milford Josiah Stern, Jr. of Chesapeake, VA and survived by his mother Joanne Thrasher Stern now living in Haines City Florida; wife Rhonda Williams Stern of Key Largo; brothers Milford Josiah Stern III and his wife Jacquelyn of Roanoke, VA and William Byrd Stern and his wife Deborah of Polk City; aunts Thelma Neubauer of Venice, Jean Toms of Stuarts Draft, VA, Mary Ellen Fitzmaurice of Maryland, Doris Stern of Kokomo, IN and Joyce Stern of Virginia Beach, VA; nephews Garrett Milford Stern of Roanoke, VA, Brett Darryle Stern of Roanoke, VA, Michael Hux and Jason Hux; as well as many loving cousins. Graveside Services will be held Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 11:00 at Forest Hill Cemetery 2000 Grace Avenue, Haines City FL, 33844 with Pastor Jim Drake officiating. All are invited to Eastside Baptist Church for a lunch celebration of the life of Thomas to be held immediately following the graveside service. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donation in memory of Thomas Stern to the General Fund at Eastside Baptist Church, 116 North 22nd Street, Haines City, FL 33844. Arrangements by Oak Ridge Funeral Care Haines City.