Thomas E. English, age 88, of Washington, Iowa, died Friday, March 8, 2013, at the Washington County Hospital following a sudden illness.

Celebration of life services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 15, 2013, at the United Methodist Church with Pastor Jim Stiles officiating. Visitation will begin noon Thursday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 Thursday evening. Interment with military honors conducted by Washington American Legion Post 29 will take place at Elm Grove Cemetery. Memorials have been established for the United Methodist Church or the Central Park Community Center. Online condolences may be sent for Tom's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

Tom was born March 20, 1924, in Page County Iowa the son of Forbes Thomas and Eunice (Chamberlain) English. He graduated from Villisca High School and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Simpson College. He later earned his Masters Degree from the University of Iowa. On November 10, 1943, Tom was united in marriage to Ruthella Freeman in Villisca, Iowa.

Tom was a veteran of World War II having served in the United States Army from 1943 until 1946. He was a radar operator with the 127th AAA Gun Batallion serving in the European Theater of Operation. Tom was awarded four bronze stars. He was a Teacher, Athletic Director and Assistant Principal for the Washington Community School District for 37 years, retiring in 1986. He previously taught at Brighton, Iowa for three years.

He was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Washington. Tom was a member of the Washington American Legion and the Central Park Community Center. He was a charter member of the Iowa Athletic Directors Association and was named the South East Iowa Athletic Director of the Year in 1985. He was inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Hall of Fame in 1986. Tom was a member and supporter of the Washington Community Y having received the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2006 and Friend of the Y Award in 2004. He was a former supervisor at Lake Darling Youth Center.

He enjoyed woodworking, golfing, playing pool at the Y, and following Iowa Hawkeye athletics.

Tom is survived by his wife, Ruthella English of Washington, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Susan English of Washington, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Barbara English of Harlan, Iowa; four grandchildren: Mark English and wife Sara of Washington, Iowa; Amy Marsh and husband Tyler of Elkhorn, Nebraska; Matthew English and wife Sara of Omaha, Nebraska; and Andrew English and wife Erin of Carlisle, Iowa. Tom is also survived by six great grandchildren: Addison and Parker English, Brynn and Aubrey Marsh, Robert English and Hudson English, as well as one niece, Pamela Sandell of Red Oak, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sons Douglas and Robert, and one brother, Allen English.