Tom's service will be livestreamed through the Grinnell Friends Church YouTube page.

The link for the livestream is:    https://youtube.com/live/-IgguRtLDps

Thomas Luverne "Tom" Tish, 83, of Grinnell, passed away Friday morning, April 10, 2026, at UnityPoint Grinnell Regional Medical Center. A Celebration of Life will commence with a 10am Visitation on Thursday, April 16, 2026, followed by an 11am memorial at Grinnell Friend's Church. Burial with military rites will take place at West Liberty Cemetery near Searsboro directly thereafter. A luncheon and reception will follow the burial at the Blakely Stevens American Legion Building in Montezuma at approximately 1:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be directed to Grinnell Friends Church, Heart of Worship Church, Leavenworth First United Methodist Church, St. Francis Manor Foundation Human Needs Fund, or the Blakely Stevens American Legion Hall. Holland-Coble Funeral Home of Montezuma is in charge of arrangements.

Tom was born July 25, 1942, in Osceola, Iowa, the son of Ellis "Jack" Luverne Tish and Evelyn Alice (Webb) Tish. He was raised near Searsboro, Iowa, where his family established their home and roots. He grew up alongside his siblings, Richard "Dick" Webb and Dorothy Ann (Tish) Taylor.

He attended Searsboro Consolidated School and graduated from Searsboro High School with the Class of 1960. Following high school, Tom briefly attended Central College before pursuing training at Delta Airline Training School (Weaver Airline Institute) in Kansas City. He later worked in Chicago before returning to Iowa, where he was employed by Iowa Southern Utilities. Determined to further his education, Tom enrolled at William Penn College in Oskaloosa, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics with a minor in History.  He went on to earn a Masters Degree in Urban Planning through Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA.

On September 30, 1967, Tom was united in marriage with his high school sweetheart Karen Louise Steen at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. Together they built a life centered on family. Tom lovingly adopted Karen's two children, Tony and Teri, and they welcomed a son, Thomas Luverne "Tommy," into their family.

Tom proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. His military career took him across the United States and overseas, including service in Vietnam, Alaska, and Germany. He dedicated 23 years to his country before transitioning to civilian life, continuing his work at the National Simulations Center in Leavenworth, Kansas. Following the acquisition of his position by Northrop Grumman, Tom eventually retired and enjoyed a quieter life in the countryside near Leavenworth.

In 2018, Tom and Karen returned to their Iowa roots, settling in Grinnell, where they enjoyed their later years together.

Tom will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his service to his country, his sense of humor, his love of history, family genealogy, community involvement, cemetery revitalization, the American Legion, carpentry, avian & garden lover, European Soccer (Tottenham Hotspur!) and anything having to do with US railroads: history, lore, engineering. In accordance with his wishes, he will be cremated and interred at West Liberty Cemetery near Montezuma, alongside generations of his family.

Tom is survived by his loving wife, Karen Louise Tish of 58 years, children: Joseph "Tony" and Lori Tish of Las Vegas, NV, Teri and Daryl Grammer of Murphysboro, IL, and Thomas "Tommy" and Dessira Tish of Walnut Creek, CA, five grandchildren: Paulina Cole, Jordyn Jones, Thomas Tish III, Kendall Tish, and Weston Tish; and six great grandchildren: Logan, Kenadi, Olive, Everleigh, Mac, and Elias.