Thomas Francis Korn

Thomas Francis Korn, born February 18, 1947, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2026.

Tom was born as an only child to Thomas Francis Korn Sr. and Dolores Kathleen Korn and was raised in Abington, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Abington High School in 1965 and went on to attend Memphis State University, where he joined the Kappa Alpha Order and formed many lifelong friendships. He graduated in 1970 with a degree in Marketing.

After earning his degree, Tom built a distinguished career with organizations including General Mills, Chiquita Brands, National Sea Products, and Sara Lee Corporation, where he was named Sales Manager of the Year in 1982. In 1996, he seized an opportunity to broker consumer packaged food products to Walmart. Starting with only himself, his loyal business partner, and a fax machine, Tom grew the company into a major enterprise with over 300 employees. Upon his retirement in 2002, he sold the company to his management team to reward their dedication and loyalty.

Tom married his lifelong love, Pamela Baer Korn, in 1982. Together they raised their sons Kyle Korn, Mark Korn, and Bradley Boone. The family lived in Dunedin, Florida; Fayetteville, Georgia; and Germantown, Tennessee before settling in East Tennessee at Rarity Bay in 2002. There, surrounded by the Smoky Mountains, they created a rich community of friendships and lasting memories.

Never truly retiring, Tom devoted himself to service and philanthropy. He served on the boards of Sweetwater Hospital and the Monroe County Boys & Girls Club and helped establish the Rarity Bay First Responders. He and Pam also founded the KLASS Center at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, a pioneering program that supported children and students with learning disabilities and assisted hundreds of families across East Tennessee. At Rarity Bay, Tom was an active member of the Men’s Golf Association and, with Pam, enjoyed the Rarity Bay Yacht Club, where boating remained one of his favorite pastimes.

Tom was a proud husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Pamela Korn; their sons Kyle Korn, Bradley Boone, and Mark Korn; his daughter-in-law Holly Korn; and his grandsons Carter Korn and Ryder Korn. His sense of humor, generous spirit, genuine interest in others, and remarkable personality touched everyone who knew him and will be deeply missed.