Thomas C. Codding, 82, of Eustis, Florida, passed away on April 28, 2023. He was born on December 1, 1940, in Wadsworth, Ohio, to Charles and Mary Codding. Having roots in Lake County, Florida, his family moved to Mount Dora in June 1951 where he went to school and helped in the family business, Codding’s Gas Station & Grocery Store, until enlisting in the United States Navy in June 1958.
Tom spent his entire naval career in the Submarine Service earning the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer. Early in his military career he made patrols on the diesel submarine USS Chopper (SS-342) out of Key West, Florida then was transferred to the nuclear submarine USS Ethan Allen (SSBN-608) on which he made 12 patrols out of Scotland, Spain, and Guam. While on shore duty, he was an instructor at the U. S. Naval Guided Missile School at Dam Neck, Virginia. He was a recipient of the Navy Achievement Medal and presented the United States Career Counselor Medal by the Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet, Honolulu, Hawaii. He was a decorated and accomplished member of the armed forces before retiring to Mount Dora in June 1979.
After retiring from the Navy, Tom’s love of teaching brought him to Mount Dora High School where he taught chemistry and physics for 19 years. He helped design a new chemistry and physics lab where he implemented many creative and innovative teaching methods. As head of the Science Department, he enjoyed working with fellow colleagues and was named MDHS’s Teacher of the Year. Before and after his retirement many students reconnected with him. He always enjoyed hearing about their many accomplishments and was immensely proud of the students whose lives he touched.
Tom will be missed and always loved by his wife of 57 years, Florence, son and daughter-in-law, Tom & Lydia, daughter, Jennifer, and grandsons, Joseph, Jeremy, and James. He is also survived by sisters, Martha Woodson and Charlene Codding, brother-in-law, Edward Kelly and wife, Genny, as well as nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mary Codding, and his brother, Gary Codding.
Tom’s family would like to thank the many nurses, doctors, and CNAs who cared for him in his later years.
A private memorial will be held to honor Tom’s life and service to his country. If you would like to honor Mr. Codding, donations may be made to the MDHS Stadium Improvement Fund c/o the Mount Dora Community Trust at http://www.mountdoracommunitytrust.com/mdhsstadium.
