Thomas Mark Herzog, 35, of Red Bud, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 in Decatur, Texas.
He was born to Mark Thomas Herzog and Mary L. (nee Guebert) Hamilton on Sept. 8, 1983 in Chester, Illinois.
Tom was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Red Bud, and actively participated in the youth group while attending St. John's Lutheran School and Red Bud High School.
Tom was in Cub Scouts when he earned the Lutheran Religious Award and Order of the Arrow. While in Scouts, he especially enjoyed Pinewood Derby races. During his high school years, Tom studied Industrial Arts, was FFA Vice President and Sentinel and was a VICA member.
Upon graduating in 2002, he was awarded the Henry Thielen Family Scholarship and attended Southwestern Illinois College. He enjoyed many years with his faithful golden retriever companion, Sandy.
Tom debuted his skills as owner of Tom's Lawn Care. During high school he worked at Red Bud Industries in the general maintenance department. In 2004, Tom began working as a die cast operator at Spartan Light Metals and in 2006, he became a machinist at Red Bud Industries. Tom followed his dream and launched full-time into the monster truck industry during 2014.
Tom had an exceptional mechanical aptitude which led him to design and build "Midnight Rider Monster Truck." He was a member of MTRA and an independent driver for many promoters in the monster truck industry, including Monster Jam. Most recently, Tom completed the first quarter with Monster Truck Wars and was beginning their Summer Heat Tour.
Tom was loved and respected by his colleagues. He was honored to sign autographs and pose for photos with enthusiastic fans, young and old.
Tom was a son any parent would be proud of and a wonderful, loving big brother.
He is survived by his father, Mark Herzog and his mother, Mary Hamilton; two siblings, Donny Hamilton and Katelyn Hamilton; his special friend, Ashley Freeman; and aunts and uncles Carol Herzog, Don (Sandy) Herzog, Pat (Debbie) Herzog, Ann (Bill Thomas) Herzog, Joan (Steve) Monrotus, Barb (John) Foster, Barb Buerck, Robert Guebert, Lois Guebert and Mark (Sharon) Guebert.
He is survived by cousins Jason, Jarrett, Brian and Craig Herzog; Alan and Sheryl Herzog; Chris and Jeff Herzog; Steve, Jimmy, Danny and Cindy Monrotus; Michelle Rockey and Robin Becker; Chris and Tim Foster; Eddie Guebert and Debbie Bracht; and Eric Guebert. He also had many dear and close friends, and was loved and respected by all his monster truck colleagues and families.
Tom was preceded in death by his grandparents, Thomas H. and Mary Herzog and Edwin Jr. and Nina Guebert; two uncles, Daniel Guebert and Paul Herzog; and two cousins, Kimberly Guebert and Beth Guebert.
The funeral for Thomas Mark Herzog will begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 19, 2019 at St. John Lutheran Church, in Red Bud, officiated by the Revs. Mark Nebel and Russell Koen. Interment will follow at St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Red Bud.
Visitation will be held 3-9 p.m. on Saturday, May 18 and 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Pechacek Funeral Homes, in Red Bud; and 12:15-1 p.m. Sunday at St. John Lutheran Church in Red Bud, prior to the service.
The family is requesting memorials in Tom's name to the Dakota Boys & Girls Ranch; the LCMS Youth Ministry and the LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces.
To view this obituary and sign the register book, visit www.wpfh.net.
