Thomas McAreavy

THOMAS MCAREAVY

Oxford

Thomas James McAreavy, 80, of Williamsburg, died Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015, after a hard fought battle with melanoma. Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at St. Mary's Church in Oxford, with Father Edmond Dunn officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the church, where a parish vigil service will be at 6 p.m. Military honors by the Oxford American Legion will follow the service. Tom has deeded his body to the University of Iowa Department of Anatomy.

Memorials may be directed to the Thomas James McAreavy Memorial Fund.

Tom was born Aug. 7, 1934, in Central City, the son of John B. and Kathryn McMeel McAreavy. He was raised in Parnell, Cedar Rapids and Oxford, where he graduated from high school. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea. Tom received a bachelor's degree in physical education and master's degree in educational administration from the University of Iowa. On Sept. 1, 1956, Tom married Pauline Sueppel at St. Mary's Church in Iowa City.

Tom was the principal, teacher and coach at Clear Creek Schools for over 35 years, retiring in 1995. He had also been at Cedar Rapids Prairie earlier in his career. Following retirement he continued to teach at Williamsburg and Clear Creek-Amana Schools.

He was a member and lector of St. Mary's Church and volunteered at Mercy Iowa City and was a patient advocate at Highland Ridge in Williamsburg. Tom served on the Williamsburg City Council.

In 1986, he was inducted into the IGHSAU Coaches Hall of Fame after winning four state championships. In 2002, he was inducted into the Clear Creek-Amana Hall of Fame. In 1980, he was honored as the ABWA Boss of the Year. He was president of Lodge 427 Western Fraternal Life Association and a member of the Oxford American Legion.

Tom possessed a wonderful sense of humor, great wit and a commit-ment to a lifetime of learning. He was an avid runner and had completed the Phoenix Rock & Roll Marathon in 2004 at the age of 69. In 2014, he was proud to be on the Honor Flight with his son, Mart.

Most important to Tom was his love for his wife and family.

Survivors include his loving wife, Pauline; their six children, Mick (Karin) McAreavy of Paradise Valley, Ariz., Mary (David) Bontrager and Mart F. (Brenda) McAreavy, both of Iowa City, Melinda (Bruce) Ball of Flushing, Mich., Morgan (Mary) McAreavy of Holstein and Matthew (Jody) McAreavy of Oxford; 16 grandchildren, Justin (Alana), Tyler, Jasmine (KC), Jordan, Kylie (Mike), Tayler, Amanda, Sean, Adam, Abra, Josh, Madeline, Patrick, Conor, Keyan and Kaden; four great-grandchildren, Dakota, Regan, Xander and Vaughn Thomas; his brother, John Francis (JoAnn) McAreavy of Muscatine; and numerous extended family.

Tom was preceded by his parents and two siblings, Terry McAreavy and Mary Lou Harney.

The family extends their appreciation to Dr. Milhem, Dr. Zeitler and all the caregivers.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lensing funeral.com.