Thomas John Behl

Thomas John Behl was born on January 4, 1933 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Max and Dorothy Behl. He passed from this world to the next on October 23, 2024, leaving it a better place.

He served his country for much of his adult life as a Marine, a US Border Patrol agent, and a US Secret Service agent, protecting presidents, vice-presidents, and foreign dignitaries. Upon retirement to Payson, Arizona, Tom began volunteer work in his new community where he actively practiced his faith through St. Vincent de Paul Catholic charities and Habitat for Humanity. Tom also became a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in foster care, spending close to twenty years giving children in the system a voice.

Tom’s most lasting legacy was his family. He met his wife, Barbara Schneider, in the second grade at St. Lawrence Elementary School in Milwaukee, and they were married seventeen years later in 1958. Together they raised four children. The family of six moved every few years, crisscrossing the United States as Tom was transferred with his work for the government. 

A loving husband and father, Tom spent the majority of his free time with his family. He passed to his children a sense of humor, the value of personal integrity, and a lived commitment to helping others. 

Tom passed away at home and was welcomed into Heaven at 91 years of age. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Barbara, as well as his children, Ann Withers (John), Carol Behl, Catherine Behl (Henry DePhillips) and David Behl, eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. We all miss him very much.

A time of visitation will be held at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Franklin, TN on Friday, November 15, 2024 at 10:00 am, to be followed by a funeral Mass at 11:00 am. Family and friends are invited to attend a luncheon at St. Philip following the Mass.