Thomas W. Jacklin

Thomas Wayne Jacklin, age 77, of Appleton, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 10, 2026, at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center (formerly Appleton Medical Center) surrounded by his loved ones after bravely battling several illnesses that he never let define him. Tom was born on December 9, 1948, son of the late Gordon and Doris Jean Jacklin (Gibbons) in Stevens Point (Plover), Wisconsin, though he spent the majority of his childhood and most of his adult life in Appleton. He attended Xavier High School, where he wrestled and played football with several of his beloved friends. Tom went on to take courses at St. Thomas and St. Norbert’s colleges, proudly majoring in history. He then served in the United States Army Reserve, and spoke often about his time in basic training at Fort Leonard Wood (Missouri) and both his work and play at Fort Polk (Louisiana).

On July 22, 1978, his true life’s mission began when he married Marion Joyce Koski (now Wolf), and they went on to create their family, having two spirited children, Jillian Marie Jacklin (February 20, 1984) and Benjamin Thomas Jacklin (October 26, 1986). For years Tom worked as an industrial sales representative at Interstate Valweld and then at Contractor’s Supply and Equipment, where he retired from at age 62. Making several lifelong friends and a reputation as an honest and trustworthy salesman, Tom’s real passion was his children. He supported them in every way that he could, never missing an academic, sporting, or musical event. Indeed, Tom traveled to Florida with his son, as Ben developed his skills in the golf pro industry, living in both North Palm Beach and Sarasota. He then traveled back to Wisconsin, spending time with his daughter in Madison, as she pursued her dream to be a history professor. He always told them that the best thing that he did with his life was being their dad and lived that statement out fully in the way that he graced their lives everyday with his never ending presence, candidness, wit, and care.

Tom loved to travel, having brought his children on several memorable trips all around the U.S. and to Canada (a few of these excursions were with his father Gordon). His craving for the open road continued into Jill and Ben’s adulthood. Indeed, they spent many good times in Florida with other family and friends; and continued to cultivate his interest in exploring new places when he took a trip with his daughter and her stepson, Jayden, who he always treated as his grandson (and his father, Anthony Berg) on a several day journey “out East” to see the Atlantic Ocean again and visit Washington D.C. And yet, his traveling did not end there, and neither did his identity as a grandfather. In fact, his last great journey on his storied presence earthside was the birth of his granddaughter Veda Camille Berg (June 30, 2017). He just could not “stay calm,” he loved being her grandpa, managing to endure years of doctors appointments, surgeries, and almost four years of dialysis to spend more time with her and everyone else that he cared about. Alas, despite our tears and grief, he no longer waits for comfort and finally suffers no more.

He is survived by his son, Benjamin, who lived and cared for him through years of dialysis and operations in an unwavering commitment to his father being able to experience a life of dignity and his daughter, Jillian (Chancelor Schulze) and her daughter Veda, who never wandered far from Tom’s side; his children’s mother Marion Wolf (Mike); his brothers Daniel (Brenda) Jacklin and Patrick (Debra) Jacklin and sisters Barbara Bolduan and Kathleen Jacklin; his sister-in-law Candice Jacklin (Michael); his nieces and nephews, as well as grandnieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many dear friends. In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his beloved brother Michael; his nephews Jeff and Jon (who was Tom’s godson), as well as his cherished brother-in-law, Charles (Chuck) Bolduan, and many other relatives and friends.

Tom loved sports, and was a very good pool player and bowler. He loved watching golf and was an intense Badger, Packer, Brewers, and Bucks fan, and his family encourages you to root for these teams in his honor moving forward.

Ben and Jill would especially like to thank the nursing staff at Fresenius Medical Care, who went to great lengths to comfort their father during long and grueling dialysis sessions three mornings a week for the better part of four years. They also want to recognize Dr. John Ganser, their long-time family medical practitioner, who stood by Tom and advocated for him through numerous serious health issues. Careworkers like you deserve so much more recognition.

The family hopes that you will come celebrate with them at The Creeks at Ivy Acres. There will be food, music, and best of all good company, as we share our memories of Tom on Saturday, September 19, 2026 between 2 and 6 pm. Please stop by!

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.