Tommy Joe Rohovit “Mr. Fantastic” of West Jordan, Utah, loving husband, father, grandfather, and basketball enthusiast, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2024, with his wife and youngest son by his side, at the age of 88.
Tom was born in Jefferson, Iowa, on March 19, 1936, to Clarence Kenneth (Ikey) Rohovit and Mildred Nelson Rohovit. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1954, where he was a multi-sport athlete. He lettered in track, football, and basketball. He attended the University of Iowa where he played basketball in the 1954 NCAA Championship.
He married Joan Marie Voorhees on June 24, 1955, and together they had six children, Mark, Kent, Tammie, Lori, Jeff, and David. She passed away in 1969. He married Carolyn Goetz, and together they had two children, John and Lisa. They later divorced. He married Annette Fritsch on August 15, 1975, and together they had two children, Jennifer (Smart) and Cody.
Tom was known for his continuously happy disposition, and no matter what was going on, he was “phenomenal.” He was beloved by many, and made everyone feel welcome at all times. He spent his career as a salesman, and genuinely loved interacting with people. He enjoyed camping, listening to jazz music while reading motivational books, watching the Utah Jazz, and talking to anyone and everyone. He loved to grill a burger and sit outside with his family, as well as Sunday family dinners. He spent countless Saturdays in the basketball gym with his kids, and many of their friends and neighbors. He also enjoyed many LDS church callings, including serving as a member of the bishopric, a gospel doctrine teacher, Scout leader, Young Men’s leader, and a member of the High Council.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence (Ikey) and Mildred Rohovit, brother, James Rohovit, his first wife, Joan Rohovit, and son, David Rohovit.
Tom is survived by his loving and devoted wife of nearly 49 years, Annette Fritsch Rohovit, and his nine children Mark (Shareen) Rohovit, Kent Rohovit, Tammie Jensen, Lori (Dennis) Springer, Jeff (Audra) Rohovit, John (Rachel) Rohovit, Lisa (Stacey)Young, Jennifer (Jeremy) Curtis, Cody (Amy) Rohovit, 28 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. Tom was known as “Papa” to his youngest six grandchildren, Carson, Sophia, Talyn, Bex, Dash, and Collins. Tom’s love for basketball lives on with his son, Cody, and grandsons Bex and Dash Rohovit.
A viewing will be held Monday, May 13, 2024, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Larkin Mortuary 3688 W 12600 S Riverton, UT. The funeral will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 7337 S Regal Hill Drive in West Jordan at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, where there will also be a short viewing starting at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be held at Larkin Sunset Lawn 2350 E 1300 S in Salt Lake City immediately following the funeral service.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We are here for anything you might need.
Dear family , I send my love. It has been a long time since Tom lived in the Waterloo and Cedar Falls area. Rudy and I loved Tom. He was a large part of our lives. We were sad when they left our area. I send my love to his family. He will always be remembered.
Annette sorry 😞 for your loss of a Wonderful Man 👨 I'm out of town for a week I will try to get intouch with you when I get back in town. Sending all my Love 💓 ❤️ 😍 to You and your Family God Bless all of You.
We are so very sorry for your loss. He was a great man and we all Are so grateful that We had the chance to get to know him.
And enjoy his company. God bless your family.
I only knew Tom when he was a young father in Iowa. When he and Joan joined the church, he brought energy to our branch that was so welcomed. My father was branch president so we enjoyed getting to know them making home made ice cream and dinners at the Rohovit home. At different times, Tom was my seminar teacher, scoutmaster, softball coach, basketball coach, and mentor. He enjoyed being with us kids. He drove us to church basketball tournaments in Des Moines and Omaha. I find myself remembering so many childhood experiences that Tom was a part of. Many of these tournaments, campouts, and spiritual events may not have happened without Tom's enthusiasm. Tom sincerely loved us.
The funeral today was beautiful. I see that his life after Iowa had been very full. I see that he has touched hundreds of others the way he touched me. I was only a child/teenager in those days but I think so often of the good times we had and the positive influence he had on me and all the other youth. I tried to reconnect with him many times to express my love and appreciation. I never got an answer. Today at the funeral I caught a glimpse into the busy life he has enjoyed here in Utah.
To all of you that mourn Tom's passing, my shared grief understands. He is a unique spirit that we all want to spend more time with. Please be comforted in the knowledge that we will.
