Thomas Allen Bretz

Thomas Bretz, also known as Tom Terrific, passed away on Friday, October 17, 2025 and the age of 73.

Tom was born in Wooster on March 22, 1952, to Daniel and Naomi (Fortune) Bretz and was a 1970 graduate of Norwayne High School. He was the owner of Tom’s Harley, specializing in large cubic inch shovelhead race engines. Tom loved to race his shovelhead and set multiple records in the 80’s. He also worked and retried from the telecommunications field.

Tom enjoyed sharing his adventures, whether it was a trip to visits his brother David in New Zealand or his motorcycle trips out west. He also enjoyed being home, fishing with his dad and hanging with friends. He charmed the ladies no matter where he went and lavished them with compliments and kind words. If you were lucky, you would receive Star Gazer lilies from him to brighten your day.

Tom loved loud noises, going fast, disturbing the peace and dessert (always dessert first). During Tom’s illness over the last few years, he especially loved having a beer and snacks with his Monday morning crew. His antics and stories are legendary and hilarious and will be told, retold and laughed about forever.

Tom was a father to Tammy Bretz-Jackson and grandfather to Bobby Burgess, Sophie Jackson and Abby Jackson. Also surviving is his brother, David Bretz, several nieces and nephews and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Sandy Gilbert.

Friends may gather on Saturday, Nov. 1st from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m. at Murray Funeral Home in Creston to pay their respects to Tom. He will take his final ride to Canaan Cemetery immediately following where he will be buried.

The obituary that he wrote said, Tom Bretz, a Wayne County resident and son of Daniel and Namoi Bretz died. But through the stories shared of his life, the legend of Tom Bretz will live for many years to come.