Tom Chilcote

Lancaster - Tom Chilcote, 77, died Saturday, October 14, 2023 at his residence after a long illness.

Tom was a lifelong member of the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police; he served as Vice-President; Secretary; Trustee and Conductor for the Fraternal Order of Police Forest Rose Lodge 50. He was also 2003 Lodge member of the year, and 2003 Nominee for State FOP member of the year; Tom served on the Board of Trustees as President; Vice-President and Secretary for FOP Lodge 50 Memorial Fund; He was a member of the Police and Fire Retirees of Ohio, Free and Accepted Masons Lancaster Lodge 57, Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, American Legion Post 11 (Lancaster, Ohio), and Amvets Post 1985 (Lancaster, Ohio).

He graduated from Lancaster High School class of 1964; obtained an associate degree in Police Administration from Hocking College - Nelsonville, Ohio; attended Ohio University Lancaster; and graduated from Senior University - Evanston, Wyoming with a Bachelor of Arts in Administration and Management - Law Enforcement.

Tom served in the United State Army as Military Police from 1965-1967 where he was Honorably Discharged at the Rank of Sergeant E-5.

Tom was a member of the Lancaster Police Department from 1968-1997. Where he retired as the Chief of Police.

He attended St. Paul Lutheran Church, Lancaster.

Tom is survived by his wife of 44 years Betty “BJ” (Dresbach) Chilcote; brother and sister-in-law Frank and Charlotte Dresbach; sister-in-law JoAnn Dresbach; and multiple nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents Albert Maywood and LaVerne (Campbell) Chilcote; brothers Hugh, LaVon, Jim, and Roger Chilcote; and sister Rosemary Smith.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, October 19, 2023, at 11:00 AM in the Frank E. Smith Funeral Home Chapel, 405 N. Columbus St. Lancaster, OH 43130, with pastor Vicky Coombs presiding. Followed by entombment in Floral Hills Memory Gardens. Calling hours will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 PM and 6:00 – 8:00 PM Wednesday, October 18, 2023, in the Frank E. Smith Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the FOP Lodge 50 Memorial Fund, PO Box 763 Lancaster, OH 43130.

To send an online condolence, and sign the guest book, please visit www.funeralhome.com.