Thomas A. Walljasper, 78 years, of Fort Madison, Iowa died at 8:10 pm Thursday, December 25, 2014 at Mercy Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa. He was born April 17, 1936 at Fort Madison, Iowa, a son of Joseph and Caroline (Schmidt) Walljasper. On May 30, 1959, he married Carol Bindewald at St. Mary's Church, Fort Madison, Iowa. She survives.


Mr. Walljasper was a 1954 graduate of Fort Madison High School where he excelled in football, basketball and baseball. He graduated from Parsons College in Fairfield in 1958 where he lettered in football. He earned his Master's Degree from the University of South Carolina in 1970. Mr. Walljasper began his teaching and coaching career at West Burlington Junior High in 1959 and began teaching 9th grade Algebra at the Fort Madison Junior High in 1961. For several years he had the privilege of coaching football under his former high school football coach and mentor, Jim Youel. He assumed Fort Madison High School's head football coach position in 1977, a position that he held until 1990, and added two more seasons in 2000 and 2001. He had a passion for running that included five marathons between the ages of 40 and 55 and made him a natural assistant track coach, a position he held for many years. He helped Coach Mic Pickford resurrect the Fort Madison wrestling program and followed that with many years as a wrestling referee. Following retirement from the public school system, he became Principal at Aquinas High School for three years where he also coached cross country. He taught at Notre Dame High School for three years and then continued his teaching career by working part-time and substitute teaching at Holy Trinity High School. His teaching and coaching career stretched more than 50 years and touched many students and athletes. He was Teacher of the Year at Fort Madison High School as well as Coach of the Year. He was the director of the Little League Program for many years and also managed and umpired Fort Madison's slow pitch softball organization. He was a member of Holy Family Parish, the Elks Club, and the Fort Madison Bloodhound Boosters Club. But, Mr. Walljasper's greatest pride and joy was his family. An exceptional role model and father, he had the wisdom to know when to encourage his children and when to let them discover life on their own.

Besides his wife, Carol, he is survived by eight children: Susan (Duane) Johnson, of Carlisle, Iowa; Thomas J. (Suzi) Walljasper, of Fort Madison, Iowa; Sally (Michael) Knustrom, of Fort Madison, Iowa; Michael (Crickett) Walljasper, of San Antonio, Texas; J. Andrew Walljasper (Jared Reed), of Montrose, Iowa; Jane Holterhaus, of Fort Madison, Iowa; Matthew (Stephanie) Walljasper, of Urbandale, Iowa; Julie (Matt) Donovan, of Des Plaines, Illinois; one brother, James (Terry) Walljasper, of Denver, Colorado; one sister, Joan Walljasper, of Fort Madison, Iowa; twenty-two grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Paul Walljasper and Frank Walljasper; three sisters: Jean Saad, Martha Murphy, and Mary Ann Walljasper; and one grandson, Thomas W. Walljasper.


Per his families wishes his body has been cremated. His family will greet friends from 5:00 - 7:00 pm Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at Ss. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church, Holy Family Parish, Fort Madison, Iowa, where a Christian Wake Service will be held at 7:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at the Ss. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church, Holy Family Parish, Fort Madison with Father Mark Spring as Celebrant. A private family burial will be held at a later date. An additional event to celebrate his life will also be held at a later date. A memorial has been established for the Tom Walljasper Endurance Fund, contributions may be left at the Barr Memorial Chapel.