Service pending for Varano Electric owner Tom Varano

Thomas J. Varano, II, 51 of Dorr, died Saturday, Aug. 21, at Metro Health Hospital

Born Oct.16, 1969,kj in Kalamazoo, he was the son of Geraldine “Jerri” Sinkler and the late Thomas J. Varano and was the husband of Jacqueline LouAnn (VanNess) Varano.

Tommy, as he was known by family and friends, was a master electrician and the owner of Varano Electric for more than 20 years. He was a member of Encounter Church in Plainwell for more than eight years.

Tommy enjoyed many hobbies. He loved to experiment with making different flavors of rum and also made moonshine. He was always trying to make just the right concoction to share with his buddies, Shaun and Charlie, while they hung out in the pole barn or in the driveway. Tommy and his friends played many rounds of cornhole.

One of his other favorite pastimes was going for a ride with Jackie on the Harley. Tommy cherished the one-on-one time he was able to spend with her and loved her cooking. His favorite time of the year was pumpkin day. Every year he could hardly wait to hang with his buddy, Dave Thomas, and his family and friends.

Above all else, Tommy was the happiest when he was spending time with his son, Lincoln. Tommy took great pride in teaching Lincoln the skills he would need later in life so that he could take care of himself. He would often say “Lincoln, kids these days will never grow up to learn how to change oil or rotate tires. It’s my job to teach you how to be a man. This is why it’s important to learn.”

Besides his wife of 15 years, Jackie, Tommy is survived by his son, Lincoln David Varano; his mother, Jerri Sinkler and husband Wes; and his siblings, David (Roxanne) Baty; Kenny Sinkler; Rachel (Keven) Walker, Kara Shock, Krysti (Ken) Clinton and Tiffany (Lazar) Marinkovic.

He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Varano; and his brother, Wes Sinkler, Jr.

Services are pending.