Thomas C. Balser, 63, of Zephyrhills, Florida, died suddenly Friday, July 1, 2016. He was born February 13, 1953 in Mansfield, Ohio. Tom spent most of his life in the Mansfield area but also enjoyed years spent living in Sugar Grove, Ohio and finally settled in Zephyrhills. However, he always considered his true home to be in the Pomeroy/Middleport, Ohio region along the Ohio River. Here he loved spending his summers with his Grandad, many uncles and aunts and cousins learning family skills and business, his way about a garage, playing along the river and generally living what can only be described as a magical childhood. He would say it was many years later before he realized not all kids grew up with the experiences he had. A trip to Ohio would always include a stop to stick his hand into the river and recharge.Tom was a 1972 graduate of Madison High School. He drove truck for a couple years before becoming a certified Machinist working and retiring from Leibert Corporation in Columbus, Ohio. He lived a sometimes wild and risky lifestyle that involved boating and skiing, diving, white water rafting and most notably racing stock cars on dirt track. He had all the scars and broken bones to prove it; Better than tattoos! His home track was Midway Raceway in Crooksville, Ohio. His heroes were always his Grandad John Thomas and Dale Earnhardt. He always wished he could go, Just one more time round the track. During the past 10 years he loved working in his garage doing body work and painting cars. His pride and joy were his 1966 Mustang Coupe and 1972 Mach 1. He attended car shows as often as he could and dearly cares about his many car show buddies who became such good friends.He deeply loves his family, his wife, daughters and grandchildren. His love is not past tense. It is here with us now and will go on forever.Tom is survived by his best friend and soulmate, his loving wife of 14 years, Terri (Cavin) Balser; two daughters, Jessica (Pat Kaufman) Balser, and Megan Balser; two grandchildren, Raiya Robbins and Jackson Kaufman; step-son, Jason (Tennelle) McElvain; three step-grandsons, Parker and Grady McElvain and Eric Bauman; his brother, Michael (Gail) Balser; three nephews, Stephen Patton, Elijah (Lindsey) Balser and Seth Balser; his Aunt Ann Thomas and cousins from the Thomas and Balser clans; special family friend, Nadine Sasser, beloved friends, David, Stubbs and Lobes; dear friend, Cindy Hudnut; and his feline Little Darlings, BatKitty (My little Buddy) and Missy Wander, and his many Brothers and Friends, from a life well-lived.He was preceded in death by his parents, Carroll and Macky (Thomas) Balser, and Little Darling, Earl.Tom loved SPEED! He always wanted to go faster and has taken his last checkered flag. He has beaten us all to where we will go and will be waiting to see us when we arrive.Memorial Services to celebrate Toms life will be held on Wednesday, July 13th at 7:00, at Hodges Family Funeral Home's 5th Street Chapel in Dade City, FL. The family will receive guests 2 hours prior. There will also be a memorial held at a later date in Ohio. Visitation

Hodges Family Funeral Home

Wednesday, July 13, 2016 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM 14046 5th Street Dade City, Florida 33525 Directions Memorial Service

Hodges Family Funeral Home

Wednesday, July 13, 2016 7:00 PM 14046 5th Street Dade City, Florida 33525 Directions