Thomas Lawrence "Tom" Beckert, 59, of Henderson, Kentucky, passed away Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville, Indiana, after a short battle with cancer.

Tom was born on June 10, 1964, in Vineland, New Jersey, to Lawrence and Suzanne Beckert. He spent the next eight years of his life in South America before moving with his family to Toledo, Ohio, where he spent his middle and high school years. He graduated from Ottawa Hills High School in Toledo in 1982. He then attended the University of Cincinnati, graduating in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and finance. His first accounting job was with Arthur Andersen in Cincinnati as an auditor.

Tom met Valerie Neel on a blind date on July 3, 1987, and they soon began dating long-distance. Tom moved to Henderson, Kentucky, in 1991 to work at Saturn Machine in Sturgis, Kentucky. He and Valerie married on November 14, 1992, at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church. Tom quickly became an active member of the local business community as he and Valerie raised their family and put down roots in Henderson. After his time at Saturn Machine, he went on to work at Sitex, Toyota, Mead Johnson, SET Inc., Brenntag, and most recently Pittsburg Tank and Tower, where he worked as Chief Financial Officer. Tom also served on various boards in the community, including United Way, the School of Fine Arts, St. Anthony's Hospice, the Henderson Economic Development Committee, and the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, where he served as treasurer. He was a graduate of the Henderson Leadership Initiative and served as the treasurer of the Holy Name School Fall Festival for many years. A dedicated sports fan, Tom closely followed his beloved New York Mets and Cincinnati Bearcats. Tom enjoyed traveling to visit his daughters, granddaughter, and niece, and Tom and Valerie celebrated their 30th anniversary with a trip to London, England, two years ago.

Tom was preceded in death by his mother, Suzanne "Sue" Meek Beckert, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Malcolm and Barbara Neel.

Survivors include his loving wife of 31 years, Valerie; three daughters, Helen Brannigan (Michael) of Indianapolis, Indiana, Evelyn "Evie" Beckert of Boston, Massachusetts, and Anne Beckert of Cincinnati, Ohio; one granddaughter, Isabelle Brannigan; his father, Lawrence "Larry" Beckert, and wife Judy of Maumee, Ohio; two sisters, Linda Mahoney and Julie Beckert of Toledo, Ohio; his niece and fellow New York Mets sympathizer, Lauren DeAcetis (Dennis) of Port St. Lucie, Florida; and many more beloved nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins, and close friends.

Services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church.  Father J. Edward Bradley, Father Richard Meredith, Father Christopher Grief, Father Larry McBride, and Father William R. Thompson will officiate.  Burial will be in St. Louis Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2024, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Rudy-Rowland Funeral Home where prayers will be said at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

Pallbearers will be his brothers-in-law, Tim Sandman and Malcolm E. "Mac" Neel III; his cousin, Richard Meek; and friends, John Clark, Jason Kirtley, Chuck Daniels, and Brandon Long.

Contributions may be made to Holy Name School, 628 2nd Street, Henderson, Kentucky 42420, or to the Toledo Arts Commission, 1838 Parkwood Avenue, Toledo, Ohio 43604.

Online condolences may be made at www.rudyrowland.com.