Jacksonville, Florida - Thomas "Tom" Marlow Schneider, 65, of Jacksonville, Fla., passed away unexpectedly on April 20, 2025 in Chapel Hill, N.C.. He was born on April 5, 1960 in Kankakee, Ill., to the late James G. and Phyllis J. Schneider. Tom graduated from Kankakee Eastridge High School in 1978.

Tom attended DePauw University, graduating in 1982 with a degree in English. While at DePauw, he joined the Delta Rho chapter of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, a membership he treasured.

During his time as a chapter consultant, Tom met the love of his life, Nancy (Wallace), a Delta Gamma from the University of Florida, at a Greek life conference in Hattiesburg, Miss.. They married at First Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville on July 28, 1984 and soon moved to Columbus, Ohio, where Tom attended and graduated from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law ('87).

In a career of nearly 40 years, Tom worked as Corporate Counsel for State Farm Insurance; General Counsel for Wycliffe Bible Translators; and was currently serving as Advisor to the CEO & Of Counsel for Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. In this role, he also proudly served as a member of the Fraternity Sorority Political Action Committee (FSPAC).

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, while Tom was working as an attorney for the State Farm Insurance Company in Bloomington, he also served as a director of the Kankakee Federal Savings Bank (formerly Kankakee Federal Savings & Loan Association).

Tom placed a high value on community and civic engagement, remaining involved in Rotary International in Orlando, Fla. (President/Foundation, '13-'14); Indianapolis, Ind.; and Jacksonville, Fla.. In 2023, he received The J.J. McCranie Service Above Self Award from The Rotary Club of West Jacksonville. His years serving on the board of Orlando, Inc. held particular significance for him. During his tenure, he received special recognition for "Distinguished Leadership."

Faith was a centering force in Tom's life. He taught Sunday School for both children and adults across multiple congregations and with Bible Study Fellowship. Recently, he served as an Elder at Riverside Presbyterian Church.

Tom approached family life with endless joy. He plotted scavenger hunts, created word searches and always loved a game of home run derby with his children, nieces and nephews. Swimming, writing short stories, amateur photography, and a lifelong love of trains were among the many hobbies he enjoyed.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Nancy; son David (Erica) Schneider of Atlanta, Ga.; daughter Ellen Schneider of Portland, Ore.; sister Holly (John Gott) Schneider-Gott of Red Lodge, Mont.; brother Scott (Betsy) of Greenwood, Ind.; many nieces and nephews, and a first grandchild to be born May 2025.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Riverside Presbyterian Church, Wycliffe Bible Translators, and the Alpha Tau Omega Foundation.