Thomas Alfred Grunzinger
Grunzinger, Thomas Alfred, aged 84, fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church on
April 25, 2024
Beloved husband of the late Nancy Mary Grunzinger (nee Macke) for 46 years, son of the late
Alfred and Wilma Grunzinger, brother of Susan (George) Schwetz and the late Paul, Dave,
Rich, and Jack (Nancy Jane) Grunzinger. Father and father-in-law of Mike, Tom, Paula (Steve)
Leonard, Jean (Mark) Williams, Kathy (Jeff) Juenger, Jerry (Kim), the late Christy (Doug)
Griesenauer, Sharon (nee Grunzinger) Maull, John (Jeni), Sandra (Loren) Stevens, Carol Joan,
Bob (Amy), Steve, Terry (Melissa), Al, Sally (Harold), and Amy. Grandfather of Thomas, Lenny
(Valerie) Leonard, Matthew (Alex), Andrew (Coleen), Courtney (Andrew) Wittkop, Geoffrey
(Stephanie), Tim, Ashley, Brendan, Trevor, Kayla, Gus, Joe, Harry, Josh (Maddie), Robert,
Nicole, Emily, Tyler, Katie, Emma, Josie, Avery, Brandy (Ben), Allison, Nick, Brittany, Amanda,
Abby, Ryan, Gabe, Landon, Lynnsey, Apollo, and Athena. Great-grandfather of Trenton,
Jaylen, Nora, James, Olivia, Luke, Lily, Amelia, Owen, Kehren, Georgia, Nolan, Liam, Emmett,
Erin, Hunter. Uncle and great-uncle to many cousins and many friends, especially the Little
Flower group and the Wonie softball team.
In his early twenties, Tom realized he had no talent to foster excellence, so he set as his goal in
life to be “mediocre in lots of stuff”. There were some failures but overall, he surpassed his goal.
Now Tom is at Saint Louis University’s Medical School where his “Gift of Body” will allow
training for future doctors. Eventually, his remains will be cremated and buried at the University
Plot at Sts. Peter and Paul cemetery along with his saintly wife Nancy.
Per Tom’s wishes, there will be no formal memorial service. If you wish to make a donation in
his honor, Tom’s favorite charity was Saint Louis ARC (slarc.org).
He was one of the smartest men I have ever known and he could do anything he wanted….He planned his last days in his meticulous manner and they went exactly as he planned. He chose to devote himself tirelessly to supporting a very large family. He will be missed, but his spirit, insights, advice and guidance will live forever.
He was a man of many trades and I will miss him dearly. I am happy that he is dancing with mom again!
Carpenter, Cartographer, Tradesman, Mentor, Role Model, Scientist, Polymath, man of discipline, patience, consistency and practicality. Self proclaimed mediocrity however in truth, he had no equal and this his own Champion, and a great Leader to his family and peers. As a family member I am now saddened, as a fellow man, I am just thankful and honored to have known him. Rising tides lift all ships, and Thomas Alfred Grunzinger was a King Tide.
Never met Mr Grunsinger but I knew his Son, Johnny Grunsinger and wife Jenny and Josie and Avery
Many Condolences also to Sally and her dear family.
Wonderful Family!
I am so sorry for your loss. Tom was a great man. I will forever cherish the time I spent with the Grunzinger family and Tom. My heart breaks for all of you.🙏😢
If you use a tool, put it back where you got it from. Everything is temporary.
Wait a minute, wait a minute. Shit, shoot; I mean shoot. Hand me the 19/32. Dad, you mean the 15mm. Yeah the 19/32. All we have are standard sizes. Okay………………. Just hold the flashlight here.
I count myself incredibly lucky to have had such a smart and wonderful influence in my life. He taught me that I should always have a few projects cooking, and that they don’t need to be perfect, and that even as you get older, you need to keep up to date in what’s going on in the world and in science and tech. Thank you for everything and for keeping such a big family together
Well Dad, you did it your way! One of your favorite songs was “I did it my way” by Frank Sinatra. You passed away peacefully just like mom did. Now I know why you had so many children. It was so we can take care of Amy, your perfect child! We will miss you, but are happy you are reunited with mom and no longer in pain. Each time I hear Hotel California, or Johnny Cash or Frank Sinatra, I will be thinking of you.
Dad to many
Husband of one
A man of mediocrity
Surpassed by none
Just Pop, to me.
So grateful for grandpa and everything he did for everyone. As you can see there is many people in our family and he always made everyone feel welcome. He mailed us all birthday cards every year. Everyone of us. One example of how amazing he was. I’m going to miss the many life lessons he would communicate. Going to miss his laugh, his wit, and him just being present. I’m glad he got to meet our babies before he left us.
Dad you were amazing. Your talents, your intelligence, stood above the rest. To me you are the best. I am still heart broken over you not being here with us. Until we meet again. Watch over us. You are our spirit in the sky. Even in your transition you still were able to have a sense of humor. Love you and miss you most. Say hello to our mother who has been gone since 2006. Sending all of you our love from this world to your heavenly kingdom.🫶🏼😇
Heavens gate will open and the first person you see is your wife Nancy. Life is not forever but Love is. God speed Tom enjoy the view and the company and let the dancing begin. Together for Forever. No more pain no more sorrow the only tears shed are for Joy and Laughter.
Many condolences to the Grunzingers and their entire extended family. May his memory be eternal.
Oh Mr. Grunzinger, how I loved you and that name. I would say it so proudly and with a lot of enthusiasm. And he always had a twinkle in his eye and a huge hug for all of us in the Leisure Services Department at the St. Louis Arc. He loved to come to all of Amy’s Leisure programs. He was always in the stands cheering her on, bringing her to cooking and the dances. He was a quiet man but had a lot to say when it came to Amy and her participation in programs. He would call me ever so often to discuss how to make the programs better for everyone. Oh, I am going to miss you dearly Mr. Grunzinger. Happy Journey on your new Adventures, Love Rhonda!
Though this is a sad time, there is so much comfort in seeing the love in our family. I will forever be grateful for the Grunzinger sibling crew and the parents that raised them. Will remember Grandpa with love every time I hear Johnny Cash…or eat a black jelly bean (I’m not sure if that was a grandpa classic for everyone, but his house was where I first tried and loved black jelly beans, and us black-jelly-bean-enjoyers are a rare bunch).
Give Grandma a big hug for all of us🕊️😇
In memory of Mr. Grunzinger, who was always a beacon of support for the St. Louis Arc. He never missed a chance to ask how I was doing and took a genuine interest in all the programs we ran. His presence at Amy’s Leisure activities was constant; he was always there cheering her on at every game, radiating positivity and encouragement. Your kind spirit and dedication will be deeply missed, Mr. Grunzinger. Rest in peace, knowing that your legacy of compassion lives on.
With a family as large as ours, there are stories upon stories that can be told about my grandpa and his brood of Grunzingers. The family he leaves behind is a testament to the love he and my grandma shared, and the letters they wrote each other were a source of consolation as we read them together during his passing (ooh boy, were some of them funny).
Despite the decades of memories that flash through my mind right now, there is a singular item that my mind keeps pausing on: his coffee cup. That cup would be in his hand one second and then Lord knows where the next. Whether he was at home, the lake house, the river house, a family event — you name it — that cup was always lost! For a Cartographer, you’d think he’d have a grasp on where it went. He was forever trying to sip and reheat his coffee. It’s a small thing, but it was a constant source of entertainment.
Maybe Grandma had it this whole time.
We’ll love you forever, Grandpa.
We are so sorry to hear this. He was one of the funniest and smartest person that doug and i knew. Heaven welcomed home a very good angel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
We love you so much. I don’t know how anyone you could ask for a better Grandpa. He was and always will be what grounds our family at it’s roots. I can’t even imagine all the ways he will be missed but a person who is loved by so many people has to be in a very special place.
To the Grunzinger kids from the Schwetz kids….your dad will be missed by all of us. He was always so much fun to be around, and every time i saw him walk it reminded me of Ggrandps Grunzinger, so great shoes to fill. We are all thinking of you and your mom and dad!
God bless you all!
So much love. Tom and Nancy gave me many close friends growing up and a thousand stories. Love and prayers for his enormous and amazing family. Miss all of you!
We stand on the shoulders of giants, generations of men before us who served to guide the way and leave a trail for those folling. Men of power, grace, humility and a heart of service. Blessings to all those who knew him and loved him.
God bless the Grunzinger family. When Thanksgiving came around and I didn’t know their name I knew it was a Grunzinger. You made us proud how you took wonderful care of Amy after Nancy passed. You are now with your loving wife and Jesus. May you rest in peace!
To be part of this family is to know love, laughter and a good time! I will always think of Uncle Tom’s laugh, quick wit and ability to strike up a conversation with anyone on any subject. My Mom’s stories of her brothers’ shenanigans were always quite entertaining, she being the target of their practical jokes. . But, to see the smile on her face when Uncle Tom walked in the door or called on the phone, conveyed the immense love they had for one another. May you all find the peace and comfort in his love.