Thomas Laco, 93, died on January 7, 2023 after complications from surgery in Raleigh, NC. He was a loving husband, a wonderful father and a loyal friend. He was born in Czechoslovakia in 1929 and came to the U.S. when he was just six years old. He grew up on his family farm outside of Buffalo, NY.

He graduated from Hamburg High, then went on to the University of Missouri having received a Navy Scholarship. Upon graduation in 1951, he married Barbara (Barbie) Frye, his high school sweetheart, and was commissioned as an Ensign in the Navy. He served in the Korean War rising to the rank of Lieutenant JG and serving on several ships including the destroyer, USS Cone.

After leaving the Navy, he moved to Cincinnati and worked for Procter & Gamble for the next 35 years. He worked in Marketing, earning positions with ever increasing responsibilities over the years, until he was promoted to Vice Chairman of the Board. He retired from P&G in 1989.

He also served on the following boards: Christ Hospital, Taft Broadcasting, Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, Commonwealth Club, National Junior Achievement, Denison University, Cincinnati Hospital Alliance, and the National Association of Manufacturers.

His hobbies included hunting, fishing, golf, gardening and photography. In addition, he raised bird dogs and bred & raced thoroughbred horses for 25 years.

He was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Barbie, who was the love of his life and the backbone of the family. He is survived by his daughter, Susan L. (David) Chapman of Ashland, OR, sons, Thomas R. (Christine), of Wake Forest, NC, Randall J. (Pam) of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL and Gregory E. (Jane) of Nisswa, MN. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren (Caroline, Andrew, Katharine, Marek, William, Peter, Grant, and Barbara), two great grandchildren (Miles and Charlotte), numerous nieces & nephews and lots of friends. In addition to his 40+ years in Cincinnati, he also lived in Spring Island, SC for 11 years in retirement and had lived in Raleigh since 2010.

He will be interred at Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh after a private celebration of his life. Arrangements are being handled by Renaissance Funeral Home in Raleigh. Memorial gifts may be sent to the American Heart Association or the Alzheimer’s Association..