Thomas J. Glatz

Thomas “Tom” James Glatz, 76, passed away unexpectedly on August 3rd, 2024.

Tom was born at Mercy Medical Center on February 13, 1948, the son of John and Blanche (Bruehmueller) Glatz. Tom was a lifelong resident of Oshkosh and lived in the town of Nekimi on the family dairy farm for much of his life. He married his high school sweetheart of 53 years Cynthia “Cindy” Jean Wachholz on July 3rd, 1971, at First English Lutheran Church Oshkosh. 

Tom graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1967. During high school Tom served as the FFA chapter secretary and received the UW Agriculture State Farmer Certification. 

Tom farmed with his father and younger brother Gerry until 1993. He enjoyed the field work, especially chopping and plowing in the fall. He would reminisce about the John Deere 730 tractor. 

Tom was a passionate bowler on the Glatz Bowling Team at T&O Lanes. He also had a passion for his annual deer hunt, fishing, golfing and line dancing. Of course, Tom was an avid Brewers and Packers fan who attended the Annual Shareholders meeting. Tom was very proud to be an ancestor of Glatz Beer and the Oshkosh Brewing Company.

As a dad, Tom looked forward to his annual Christmas shopping date with his daughter, Jennifer. Tom took great pride in showing his daughter how to mow the lawn “safely” at 8 years old by adding wooden blocks to the pedals. In later years, Tom would chauffeur his daughter and her friends around, embarrassing her with his painted “Country Music” bug shield. 

In 1993, Tom and Cindy, alongside partners Ronald (Porky) and Linda Wachholz created a successful ornamental concrete statuary business named Heavy Critters. Because of his attention to detail and meticulous eye for ornamental concrete repair, Tom earned himself the title, VP of “Get ‘er Done”. 

While working on a construction site in 2000, Tom was buried in a near-fatal trenching accident. The accident landed him on the nightly news because he was the first person to be rescued using the local fire department’s new safety equipment.

Tom spent many happy years attending numerous country music festivals including Hodag and Country USA. Tom’s love of classic country led to the title “Mr. Nashville” among the karaoke circuit. His most memorable moment was singing “Family Tradition” on the stage of The Troubadour Nashville. 

Tom and Cindy loved to travel, visiting places like Alaska, Hawaii, and Mexico. Many trips were through the Oshkosh Seniors Center tour group, where travelers would call him “Smiley”. One of Tom’s favorite trips was through the National Parks of the southwest. Another memorable adventure involved traveling and sleeping in a covered wagon, roping and riding horses through the Grand Teton mountains. Along with being stranded for hours on the Alaskan highway. 

Upon retirement, Tom enjoyed his time at their Hunter’s Ridge condo. He always had treats for the dogs while out on his daily scooter rides. He also enjoyed “glamping” in Adams County, where he later purchased a cabin and spent his free time grooming the deer trails and spending time with his four grandchildren. 

Around 2018, Tom encountered a rare neurological disorder, that typically affects adults over 60, called Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a very debilitating shingles disease. The disease affects five out of 100,000 people each year in the United States. Tom advocated for those over 60 to get their shingles vaccine.

Tom is survived by his wife, Cindy Glatz, his daughter, Jennifer Marie (Roger) Magnuson. Grandchildren, Clayton Fredrick, Caroline Jolene Rose, Carlton Thomas and Callahan Roger Magnuson, all of Oshkosh, WI. His mother, Blanche Glatz. Brothers, William (Patricia) Glatz, of Venice, FL, George (Maralee) Glatz, of Tioga, PA and Gerald Glatz (Leanne Bloedow) of Oshkosh, WI, and numerous nieces and nephews. Tom was preceded in death by his father John Glatz, his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Lester and Virgina (Waterman) Wachholz, and sister-in-law Mary (Chase) Glatz.

Tom’s celebration of life will be on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at the Nekimi Town Hall, 3790 Pickett Road, Oshkosh, WI 54904. We invite you to the prayer service at 4:00pm, followed by a visitation with repast from 4:30 to 7:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with the Ramsay Hunt Syndrome Foundation.