Obituary of Thomas Frederick Searl

Thomas “Tom” Fredrick Searl peacefully passed away on March 31, 2022. He was surrounded by his family at home in Hiawatha, Iowa. His funeral will be held at 2:00 pm Monday, April 4, 2022, at Gay & Ciha Funeral Home in Iowa City Iowa. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. To share a thought, memory or condolence with his family please visit Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website @ www.gayandciha.com. Tom was born on July 12, 1954, to Ruth Lorraine Searl and Howard L Searl in Moline, Illinois. His family moved to Iowa City when Tom was just six months old. He attended the Iowa City school district and graduated from West High in 1973. Tom joined the United States Navy where he was part of a Helicopter Combat Support Squadron. He later returned to Kirkwood Community College where he earned his Welding degree. He retired in 2016, and enjoyed his life playing with his grandkids and sharing toast every morning with his dogs, Sam and Gracie. Tom married Barbara (Walters) Searl in August of 1981 and had two children; a son, Cody and daughter, Brielle. Tom was blessed with seven grandchildren: Anna, Austin, Caleb, William, Chase, Jaydin and Demi. He was best known as Papa! Tom joins his mother, Ruth and his brother, Howard. He leaves behind Barbara Searl (his soulmate of 41 years), his son Cody, daughter-in-law Samantha, daughter Brielle and grandchildren: Anna, Austin, Caleb, William, Chase, Jaydin and Demi and two sisters Ruthann Searl of Colorado and Mary (Alan) Snyder of Cedar Rapids. In honor of Tom’s love for the American Eagle we will be wearing eagle shirts!