Thomas George Podany, 77, died Dec. 29 in Manteca.

He was born Sept. 26, 1931.

He is survived by his first wife of 27 years, Jeanette Mattson of Danville; children Terry Smith (and husband Rob)  of Piedmont, Tom Podany (and wife Michelle)  of San Ramon, Joe Podany (and wife Karen)  of Livermore, Mari Harrison (and husband David) of Danville, John Podany of Truckee , Paul Podany (and wife Pam)  of San Ramon , and Dona Stout (and husband Darrel) of Kingsburg; grandchildren Nathaniel Smith (and wife Shweta), Brittany Smith, Jason Podany, Kyle Podany, Robin Podany, Mikey Podany, Bailey Harrison, Blake Harrison, Kenneth Stout (and wife Shannon),

David Stout (and wife Shannon), William Stout, and Justin Karren; four great grandchildren; and sister Mary Lou Schaefer of Robbinsdale, MN.

He was preceded in death by wife Janet Podany, sisters Beverly Golling and Polly Kruger, and great grandchild  Zachary .
Tom was a veteran of the U.S. Marines 1950-1952 and served in the Korean War as a sergeant.

He moved to the Bay Area in 1966 and was the owner of Hayward Office Equipment.Tom moved to Manteca  in the early 1980s. He married Janet Karren in 1982. They lived well and worked hard on “Podany Acres” with horses, burros, goats, and dogs. He was the longtime owner of Manteca Office Supplies before he retired and became self proclaimed “grapeologist”.

Tom was a hardworking and loyal member of the Manteca Kiwanis and longtime organizer of the Manteca Pumpkin Festival. He was very proud of his family and their accomplishments. Tom was generous, pragmatic, and even tempered (excluding politics).

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to: Kiwanis Foundation, c/o Manteca Kiwanis, PO Box 85, Manteca , CA 95336.

Service is Sunday, Jan. 11, at 2 p.m. at P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home, 290 N. Union Road, Manteca,. Final resting place is private.