Thomas Warren Love

Thomas Warren Love

Thomas Warren Love, 70, of Monticello, Florida, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on December 2, 2016. 

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at Central Church of Christ on Coopers Pond Road in Monticello. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Beggs Funeral Home.

A devoted husband and father, Tom is survived by his wife, Helen Love, his five children, Forrest Warren Love of Tallahassee, Florida; Rachel Love Spillett (Shawn) of Maui, Hawaii; Andrew Love (Shalena) of Boston, Massachusetts; Jessica Sullivan (Kevin) of Seattle, Washington; and Karma Jones of Portland Oregon; his mother, Merle Love of Monticello, Florida; uncle Herman Love of Orlando, Florida; two bothers, Robert "Bob" Love and Rodney Love (Susie) of Tallahassee, Florida; and two granddaughters Nora Adeline Sullivan and Everly Love Spillett. 

Tom is preceded in death by his father, James Ira Love.

Tom was born in Miami, Florida on September 22, 1946. He graduated from Hialeah High School and continued on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology in 1968 from Florida State University.

Tom was married to Helen Lorraine Fletcher on December 28, 1968. They were married 49 years this December.

Tom had a very long and distinguished career in the medical diagnostic field. While still in high school, Tom worked at Dade Diagnostics in Miami, Florida. Through perseverance and accomplishments, he became a leader in the field of computerization of medical diagnostics rising to the position of Vice President of Research and Development at the same organization where his career began. 

He and his family moved throughout the country during his career where he went on to hold the position of Vice President of Research and Development at Baxter-Paramax and Dade International in California and MJR Research in Massachusetts. After retiring from MJ Research, Tom consulted for Abbott Diabetes Care where his technical skills and personal experience with diabetes helped create diabetes management tools that continue to benefit countless people throughout the world. 

Tom and Helen moved to Monticello in 2000 where he served as elder at Central Church of Christ and enjoyed woodworking, photography, and family travel. He was also actively involved in community affairs and served as President of the Jefferson County Senior Center and Vice Chairman of the Jefferson County Education Foundation. 

Tom is a U.S. Army veteran and served his country in the Vietnam War.

Published in Tallahassee Democrat on Dec. 7, 2016

Provided by Gloria Doubrava Jahnke