Obituaries

Thomas Luther Logan, 84

June 15, 2019

Because my stubborn and cranky father, Thomas Luther Logan, refused to have any kind of a service upon his death and only reluctantly agreed to holding a visitation, I made a deal with him that I would write his obituary and that it would not be a traditional one because he was anything but.

I could tell you that he was born in Conneautville, Pennsylvania, in 1935 to Thomas Proudfoot and Catherine Ohl Logan, The fifth of seven children, my dad was brother to Isobel, Jean, Betty, Ann, Clint, and George. He graduated from Conneaut Valley School District, Washington and Jefferson College, and Bucknell University, going on to teach science for ten years at Towanda Area School District. While at Towanda, he met my mom, G. Suzanne Halkyard Logan, and after having me, Heather Logan Lefever, they moved to Lititz, Pennsylvania, where my dad was the assistant principal at Warwick Middle School for twenty-five years, and upon his retirement, he proudly walked me down the aisle to marry my husband, Hal Lefever, who over Memorial Day weekend took him to his 65th high school class reunion, sort of my dad’s last hurrah.

My dad, however, was so much more than that to so many people, especially me. When I was little, he would lie down on the floor next to my bed, his head resting on a heart-shaped pillow, until I fell asleep, making sure the monsters in my closet didn’t get me. He was also the dad who insisted that the battery-operated dog that he and my mom got for me for Christmas was “just as good” as a real dog. It wasn’t, which he quickly realized, and which led to our adoption of two dachshunds, Heidi and Mandy.

My dad was also the imposing administrator, towering over his students with his six-foot frame. Serving as a cafeteria monitor for most of his career, there was one time when he was loudly reprimanding some misbehaving students and his dentures fell out onto the table, and without missing a beat, he picked them up, put them back in his mouth, and kept on going. A man of routine, he ate the same lunch for all twenty-five years, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and an orange or an apple. During holiday times he delighted in annoying his students and staff by adopting a Grinch-like persona, when he was anything but, or by wearing an orange blazer on St. Patrick’s Day. When I was in the middle school (and let me tell you, every young teen girl’s fondest wish is to have her dad as assistant principal), he would sneak up behind me and my friends at dances and try to mimic our “moves.” At the time I was mortified, but now those are some of my fondest memories.

When I was in high school, he and my mom chaperoned all of our band trips, even the one to London, England, where he trekked all the way across the city just to purchase Hard Rock Café sweatshirts for me and my friends. Toward the end of my junior year, he spent an entire afternoon dying yards and yards of cheesecloth light blue so that we could use it as the sky for our post-prom decorations.

My dad was there again when I started my own teaching career at Warwick, which was when I realized just how much his students admired him. One of my first years, I had several of his “frequent flyers,” and they were extremely well behaved for me. When I asked one of them why they were always polite and respectful to me, he remarked, “I don’t want to let your father down.” Of course, he also walked over to the high school one day when I was sitting in a dunk tank and paid a rather large sum for the privilege of walking up and just hitting the target rather than attempting any throws. Payback is what he called it.

In his later years, he followed a schedule, one he set and did not like departing from, for when I called to ask if he wanted to go out to dinner, he would always sardonically comment, “Well, I usually go to the Manheim Diner on Monday night, but I guess we can go somewhere else.” He was so certain in what he liked and didn’t in terms of menu that some waitresses at his favorite establishments even removed the red cabbage from his dinner salad, for as he told anyone within earshot, “Cabbage does not belong in a salad.”

Underneath his sometimes gruff exterior, though, was a deeply compassionate, loyal, kind, and decent soul, one who never put himself before others. For years my dad drove up to Danville, Pennsylvania, every Saturday to take my grandmother, who was in a retirement home, out to lunch and to bring her a bag of Kit Kats and her “educational literature” (The Star and The National Enquirer). He also took care of my mom, who was in very poor health, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, for years, and never once did he express any frustration or annoyance, for he loved her that much.

My dad was my greatest supporter, the man who taught me that how you treat others and how you make them feel is more important than any form of personal gain. He also taught me that loving and being loved are the core values of life because those bonds can never be severed.

On a somewhat final note, saying thank you to Tim and Cathy Yashinski, his neighbors, is not nearly enough for all that they did for him and for me and my husband. You will always be a part of our family.

In conclusion, my worst fear in life was never failure—it was disappointing my dad. He always picked me up when I fell, reprimanded me when necessary, and loved me without question; he was my hero and will be forever.

A visitation will be held June 24, 2019, from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Spacht-Snyder Funeral Home located at 127 South Broad Street, Lititz, PA 17543. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom’s name can be made KPETS, 2120 Oregon Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601; or to the Pet Pantry of Lancaster County, 26 Millersville Road, Lancaster, PA 17603. Arrangements entrusted to Spacht-Snyder Family Funeral Home & Crematory, 127 South Broad Street, Lititz, PA 17543 717-626-2317.

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Condolences to the Family

July 01, 2019

Dear Heather,
What a lovely tribute to your father.  I was a student in THS when your dad taught science … and your mom taught French.  Your dad cut quite the dashing figure with his height and handsomeness, not lost on all us teenage girls!  Nor on your mom!  We all watched their romance develop and enjoyed seeing “our favorites” get together.  As we anticipated our 50th reunion a couple years ago, I did the obligatory Google search and could find nothing about your parents.  I believe they would have loved seeing us “kids”!  I know your mom would remember me (I was Peggy Coon in those days and one of her best students!), and I would love to reconnect with her.  Please give a call (610-662-4223) if you have any interest, or use the email that I’ve provided.  As you undoubtedly know, there are people who truly touch your lives, and it would be an honor to let your mom know how much she impacted mine!  Unfortunately the year I would have had physics, I was an exchange student and never had your dad as a teacher.  We moved after my graduation, hence I lost touch with your parents.  
Thank you for writing such a lovely non-traditional tribute.  What a lovely curmudgeon!  And obviously a wonderful dad.
With fondness,
Peggy (Coon) Brown

June 28, 2019

I was a student at the Middle School over 40 years ago and we all remember Mr. Logan with a fondness. He kept us in line when he used to appear out of nowhere behind us to make sure we got to our destination in time. We were all scared to disappoint him because he loomed so tall above us, but he would always give us that little smile when he said hello. I was really sad to hear that he had passed. Your obituary is a wonderful memorial to his life. 
Susan Weiser

June 25, 2019

Heather, Hal,
Such a nicely written memorial.  It is so fitting for such a kind-hearted man, father and husband.  We were blessed with his acquaintance 15 years ago when we moved in next door.  He never failed to always be at his best -kind, concerned, humorous and helpful. It wasn’t a year we were living there when we found that he was from the Conneautville area.  My grandparents and parents were from that general area.  That endeared him to us more.  We will miss him very much.  Our hearts go out to you.  We think of him daily.  If there is anything we can do, let us know. 
Greg, Cathy and Alexis Lenhart

June 21, 2019

Oh Heather, how I laughed AND cried when I read the wonderful obituary you wrote in honor of your father.  Mr. Logan (as I will ALWAYS call him) was my middle school principal.  I was a really good kid, but occasionally “nixie”, doing silly stuff.  One day in the cafeteria, I threw a dinner roll (they always had flour on the bottom) across the cafeteria to another kid, and it hit your dad’s maroon blazer in the side and left a big white spot.  OMW!  I thought “well, this is it, today I’m gonna die”.  And I could hear kids around me going “oh no!”.   Your father came over and asked who threw it and I raised my hand.  He took me out and gave me quite a reprimand, but also said it was good that I quickly and honestly raised my hand.  I could tell he was trying not to smile, probably because I was shaking.  While he was a formidable, I know what you meant in your obituary about him also having a big heart and being kind.  He WAS!  Over the years I have thought of him fondly, and I was so sad to hear of his passing. He had an impact on alot of kids, and I will never forget him.  Your obituary was perfect for him.  Prayers to you for comfort and peace as you journey through this difficult time.  
Wendy Johnson

June 21, 2019

Thank you for sharing your heartfelt and very personal tribute to your father through your LNP obituary.  Though I never met him, I cried when I read what you wrote.  I am sorry for your loss, as it is a huge one.  I think you are so blessed to have had such a man as your father.  Sending you wishes for peace as you grieve for your dad.  Jenenifer Hassel

June 20, 2019

What a terrific recollection of your fathers fantastic life.  
May we all strive to follow his example.
deen mckillips

June 20, 2019

Please accept my sincere condolences on Tom’s passing. I always appreciated his humor and quiet ways. We also would quiz each other with, “So, what are you making for dinner tonight?” 
Sending my prayers and wishes for all the happy memories to sustain you Heather & Hal. 
JoAnne Boyd

June 20, 2019

Heather and Hal, so very sorry to hear about Uncle Tom’s passing.  It is a tough transition for awhile making the adjustment to no longer having your parent to talk to regularly.  His passing was 3 years + one week to the day of Mom’s death.  Karla and I still miss our conversations with Mom. 
Once you decide on dates for Uncle Tom’s final internment, Karla and I want to make a trip up to be there like you, Hal and he were there for Mom and Aunt Jean’s final internment and celebration of life with the family.
Your dad was a gentle giant.  It is obvious from the memories you shared that he exhibited many of the wonderful traits of his daddy.  Grandpa Logan was such an amazing father, provider, and husband…… it is obvious from your memories that he passed that wicked sense of humor to all of his boys, along with the work ethic and care for other people.  Prayers for both of you during this period.
Karen Buck

June 20, 2019

Our condolences and prayers for you at this sad time. 
Jamie and Scott Beyerle

June 20, 2019

Heather and Hal,
Reading Tom’s obiturary brought tears and smiles.  You wrote a great tribute to him!  He certainy was a caring person to everone.  Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers.
Phyllis Shull
Millerstown, PA
 
 

Visitation
Monday, June 24, 2019
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Spacht-Snyder Family Funeral Home & Crematory
127 South Broad Street
Lititz, PA
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