Dr. Thomas M. Pokabla 1939-2025
YOUNGSTOWN — We come together to celebrate the life and mourn the loss of Dr. Thomas M. Pokabla, who passed away Monday morning, March 3, 2025, at the Cleveland Clinic, surrounded by loved ones. After a brief illness, he transitioned from this world to heaven on his own time and in his own way — one final last directive from Tom.
Tom was born Sept. 2, 1939, right here in Youngstown, to Anna Kutlick and Michael “Cobbs” Pokabla, and spent the rest of his years in Youngstown after meeting his lifelong love, Mary Josephine Anne Brannan. The doctor and the beautiful nurse. It was fate and a matchmaking patient that brought the two together. They married June 22, 1968, and were together until he passed, still holding hands as they did for 56 years of marriage.
Tom was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, where he is a member of the Woodrow Wilson Hall of Fame. He also graduated from Youngstown College, working at times two-to-three jobs to support himself through. He then went on to podiatry school at The Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine after a chance encounter with a local podiatrist who piqued his interest in podiatric medicine.
Tom practiced medicine in Howland for over 50 years in the same office, with patients coming from all over northeast Ohio to be cared for by him.
Together, Tom and Mary Jo had four children, Thomas (Julia Hawkins-Pokabla) Jr., Chris (Maygan) and Michael (Martina), and finally, the daughter they always wanted, Jennifer (Rob) Lane. The love of his children knew no limits and no distance, and fostered a love of family that his children will carry for the rest of their lives and into their own families.
Beloved beyond measure were his grandchildren, Ava and Michael, Ellie and Zoe, Jace and Bode, Lauren and A.J., and a beautiful baby girl on the way. Just like with his own children, Tom’s love of his grandchildren knew no beginning or end. If there was an event, Tom was there, trying to swindle his way into the best seat in the house to cheer them on, win or lose.
Tom cannot be fully encapsulated by an obituary. He was a larger-than-life character who genuinely wanted to be a part of the lives of his loved ones.
He greatly enjoyed his involvement with podiatric medical societies, the Howland Rotary, serving as its president for several years, being on the sidelines at Howland High School football games as a team physician, directing the residency program locally for podiatry and podiatric surgery residents, and traveling to more countries and continents than can be listed.
Always up for a bit of an adventure, Tom could be found out on Lake Erie on his boat, named the “Mary Jo” in honor of his lady love, jet skiing into his 80s and water skiing well into his 60s, learning how to snow ski in his 40s along with his family, going to Teenie’s Tavern for their fish and pierogis during Lent, having a good cigar and glass of wine with a friend or his boys, getting over to Station Square as often as possible for an amazing meal with his wife, attending Slovak heritage events in and around the area, watching “Seinfeld” before he and his wife went to bed, talking with his brother Ted (Barb) on the phone about NASCAR for the entire race and trying his hand at fixing things around the house.
After retirement, you could find Tom at home having a late breakfast with his wife, at cardiac rehab at Mercy Health talking with friends and exercising to “lose those last 10 pounds,” texting out funny memes to friends, sneaking a sweet treat or piece of peanut butter toast, at church, at his grandchildren’s events or still trying to learn how to speak German.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Marie and Joan, who have received Tom into Heaven with love. Tom was also preceded in death by his mother- and father-in-law, as well as his sister-in-law, Kathleen Brannan.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 11 a.m. Saturday, March 8, 2025, at St. Edward Roman Catholic Church, 238 Tod Lane, Youngstown.
Friends may call 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 7, 2025, at Lane Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel, 5797 Mahoning Ave., Austintown.
He will be laid to rest in Lake Park Cemetery in Youngstown.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tom’s honor to Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley or the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
This obituary may be viewed and condolences can be sent by visiting www.lanefuneralhomes.com.
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