Thomas R. Kalo

Thomas (Trian) Russell Kalo entered eternal life on Sunday, August 9, 2026, following a brief illness. He was born on March 12, 1934, the youngest of thirteen children. Growing up in Lorain, Ohio, he developed the larger-than-life personality that would define him throughout his life. Charismatic, outgoing, and full of energy, he had a magnetic presence that drew people to him wherever he went. A proud son of Romanian immigrants, Tom’s father, Florian of Miersig, Romania, worked for the United States Steel Company. At the same time, his mother, Floarea of Varaseni, Romania, devoted herself to raising their large family. His older sisters, Florence and Rose, played a particularly important role in his life, helping to raise him.

Starting at age 16, he began work at US Steel during the summer, weekends, and holidays. He graduated from Lorain High School in January 1952 A class. Shortly thereafter, he and his best friend, Nick Dougovich, joined the Cleveland Cliffs freighter line, sailing aboard the USS Angeline iron ore carrier throughout the Great Lakes. The Korean War draft was on at the time; Nick and Tom decided to volunteer with the U.S. Army before being drafted. After proudly serving in the armed forces, he worked at Fruehauf Trailer. He then attended Kent State University on the GI Bill, earning his bachelor’s degree. He went on to become a beloved Industrial Arts teacher at Oberlin High School and several Lorain City Schools for thirty-seven years.

During those years, he enjoyed coaching football, wrestling, and soccer as well as teaching driver’s education and furniture refinishing. Generations of former students remember him fondly; the impact he made as a teacher and mentor lasted a lifetime.

Additionally, Tom earned 150 hours beyond his Master’s degree in education along with his principals, counselors, and superintendent certificates. After a few years working for PC Campana in Lorain as well as starting his own business, he went back to his teaching career at Lorain County Joint Vocational School for another ten years, where he taught Career Based Intervention. Additionally, Tom and a group of teaching friends joined in painting weekends on Lakewood, Ohio’s Gold Coast and at the Cleveland Browns training facility in Berea.

Throughout life, Tom enjoyed the lake, sand, ocean, and sun. He loved to have a tan. He enjoyed life every day and was up and happy every morning. Tom was fortunate to travel extensively throughout the world, often to Europe, including many memorable trips to Romania, his family's homeland. Those journeys were shared with Nick Dougovich and son Tommy. He also cherished the many visits he made to California to spend time with his sister Florence and her family.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Florence; and his siblings Danny, Ana of Vearaseni, Romania, Mary, Lewis, Ann, George, Florence, Rose and John.

He is survived by his son, Tom, and daughter, Mana; his beloved niece, Chris Jachym-Sentzel, and her husband, Al; granddaughters, Kaitlynn and Regan; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Tom’s enthusiasm for life was contagious. He loved people, enjoyed every conversation, and had a gift for making those around him smile. He will be deeply missed by his family, his friends, his former students, and all who had the privilege of knowing and loving him.

The family will receive friends on Thursday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Church, 3056 Reeves Ave, Lorain, with a Trisagion service at 5:30 pm. They will also receive friends on Friday at the church from 10:00 am until the funeral service begins at 11:00 am, officiated by Rev. Fr. Paul G. Monkowski. Burial with military honors will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Lorain. The Dovin Funeral and Cremation Specialists, located at 2701 Elyria Avenue in Lorain, are handling arrangements. To send online condolences, please visit www.dovinfcs.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ss. Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Church, 3056 Reeves Ave, Lorain, Ohio 44053, or to ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.