Thomas Edward Souhrada was born April 23, 1946, in Pekin, Ill. He grew up in Pekin, the eldest of three brothers and attended Pekin Community Schools where he excelled in football, baseball and diving. His post–high school years led to him attending Illinois State University where he continued his football career and majored in secondary education focused on industrial technology. It was there that he met his loving wife Linda (Schneider) in 1969 as he pursued his master’s degree in secondary education. They were married on July 4, 1970, in River Grove, Ill., and soon after made their home in Davenport, where Tom taught industrial technology at Davenport West High School for 38 years. During that time, he coached swimming, track and football, but his love was always baseball. He coached both sophomore and varsity teams over the course of his 25-year career. During those seasons, Tom helped lead the Falcons to five state tournament appearances, winning the title in 1987, and later being inducted into the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Davenport Public Schools Hall of Fame in 2018.
Tom was the beloved husband of Linda Souhrada, proud father to his sons, Jake (Karie) and Luke (Krista). He was a devoted grandfather to Peyton, Cade, Tyler, and Kyle, who brought him tremendous pride and joy.
Tom believed strongly that hard work would take you far in life and he instilled those values and beliefs in his sons and grandchildren. He taught them to work hard, give their best, and never be afraid to put in the effort to accomplish their goals.
Family time was always Tom’s highest priority. Whether he was coaching his boys, attending games, family dinners, game nights, or just hanging around a fire pit spending time together. He loved making ice cream, ravioli, and doing projects around the house with his grandkids. His family always knew they could count on him.
Tom believed that sports were a conduit to life lessons and coaching was much more than a job for him. It was not only an op-portunity to teach young men about baseball, but also about responsibility, discipline, teamwork, perseverance, hard work and dealing with failure. His accomplishments as a coach earned him hundreds of wins, several titles, and a place in the Hall of Fame, however, the relationships he built with his players were perhaps his greatest achievement.
Tom was involved in many organizations over the years. He was a member of Newcomb Presbyterian Church for 49 years, DARSPA, the Elks Club and the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association for 50 years where he served a term as president.
Tom could typically be found with a book in hand throughout his life. He was a frequent visitor to the library and would finish upwards of 70 books per year. He was known to ask friends and family for new authors to expand his horizons. Upon retirement, Tom enjoyed playing golf with Potter’s Putters, a group of retired peers. Many stories and cold drinks were enjoyed after each round. Tom served as the emcee of the yearly banquet where he created “special” awards and chose the honorees. Golf was not of great importance, but the continued comradery with lifelong friends was.
Though retirement offered many opportunities, he found the most joy in being a grandfather. He attended as many of their sporting and school events as possible. He was so proud of all their efforts and was always in their corner. Whether it was watching Peyton or Cade playing various sports in Wilton and later at Cornell College or traveling to Colorado to ski with Tyler or watch Kyle on the baseball field, he was always cheering them on.
Tom loved to have fun, to laugh, tell stories, joke around, and make people groan with his often-terrible puns. His personality had a way of making people happy. Tom never needed a special occasion to have a good time. Whether he was at a ballgame, on the golf course, around the dinner table, traveling with family, or simply spending time with friends. He enjoyed life to the max and the people who shared it with him.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Shirley Souhrada, William and Jean Schneider; and his brother, Jeff Souhrada. Tom will be deeply missed by his wife, Linda; his sons, Jake (Karie) and Luke (Krista); and his grandchildren, Peyton, Cade, Tyler, and Kyle; his brother Mike (Linda); along with the many family members, former players, students, colleagues, and friends whose lives he touched.
A celebration of Tom’s life will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 25, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Davenport Elks Club.
Memorial donations may be made to the family to fund a scholarship for a senior high school baseball player entering trade school.
He leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond his accomplishments as a teacher and Hall of Fame coach. His greatest legacy is the family he loved so deeply, the values he taught his sons, the memories he created with his grandchildren, the players and students he influenced, and the many friends who were fortunate enough to know him.
The stands at the ballfield will never feel quite the same without him. But every game, every golf outing, every family dinner, every trip, and every story will carry a little piece of Tom with it.
He will be loved and remembered forever.
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