Thomas Kayati

Tom’s career at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Worthington, Ohio started when he was a young man mowing grass for one summer. In 1979 he returned to work at Walnut Grove Cemetery and Sharon Township Road Department.

He made $2.35 an hour. The Superintendent at the time was Harold Chandler, who became like a second father to Tom. He took Tom under his wing and taught him how to manage the cemetery with integrity and honor.

Tom assumed the Cemetery and Township Superintendent role in August of 1992 and continues in that position to this date.

During his tenure, Tom oversaw the revamping of all cemetery records, served six years on the Ohio Dispute Resolution Commission and seven years on the Ohio Association of Cemetery Superintendents and Officials Board.

He has been instrumental in the expansion of Flint Cemetery, overseeing with a hands on approach, the planning and construction of the cemetery’s Veterans, Children's and Meditation Garden installations.

Tom‘s willingness to help others is always evident. Tom constantly strives to serve the families of the Worthington and Sharon Township communities with compassion and honor.

He is also known statewide as the "go to" person for questions about governmental cemeteries.

While he has not yet set a date for his retirement, he enjoys off-road Jeep excursions in his spare time and he and his wife, Joanne, hope to move to a location that does not involve "moving" snow!