E. Thomas Boytar went peacefully to be with the Lord on the morning of April 9, 2012 at his home in Chardon, Ohio. Tom was 82 years old. Elder Thomas Boytar was born on October 14, 1929 in Lorain, Ohio, to Andrew and Helen Boytar. He was the eldest of their three children. Tom graduated from Clearview High School in 1947, and was the first of his family complete high school and go on to attend college. He graduated from Central Bible College & Seminary in Springfield, Missouri, in 1951 as the president of his class. Upon receiving his degree from Central Bible College, Tom accepted the pastorate of Chardon Assemblies of God, in Chardon, Ohio in 1952. Together with the congregation, Tom built a new sanctuary on Maple Street. Tom wed Marcia Mae Bradley of Burton, Ohio, in 1955. A true pursuer, Tom not only proposed, but gave Marcia the keys to his new car as a promise of their new life to come. Together, Tom and Marcia pastored the Chardon Assembly of God church. Soon the congregation outgrew their facility, and they purchased the old Methodist Church building, where Chardon Assembly of God is currently located. The church flourished under their leadership with a large Vacation Bible School program and bus ministry. Tom had earned a Bachelor of Arts from Hiram College and a Masters of Arts from Kent State University in 1960. He attended John Carroll University and served on their advisory board.A bi-vocational pastor, Tom taught in Chardon, Huntsburg and West Geauga Schools and was the administrator of Newbury Schools and principal of Adrian Elementary in South Euclid Schools. Tom held leadership positions in education as president of the Ohio Department of Elementary School Principals and served in the Ohio Education Association. Tom also held various leadership positions in Geauga County. Tom pastored the Hambden Congregational Church in Hambden, Ohio for 13 years. Once again, the congregation outgrew its sanctuary building and Tom led the church in a building campaign – establishing a new church sanctuary building. Word of Faith Church was established in 1984. The congregation broke ground on its new and present facility in 1997. Tom retired from education in 1992, continuing on as the senior pastor of Word of Faith Church in Chardon. Tom pastored in the Chardon area for sixty years.Tom had seemingly boundlesss energy, stamina and willpower. He possessed a zeal and zest for life and living. He enjoyed travel, teaching, gardening, reading and thoroughly experienced life everywhere he went. Most of all, Tom held a deep love for God and a genuine love and care for people. Tom is survived by Marcia, his loving wife of 56 years; daughter, Tanja Kaye (Perry) Geue of Ventura, California; son, Thomas Kelly of Chardon; grandson, Jonathan Perry Geue of Ventura, CA; brother Delbert Boytar of Rocky River, Ohio; and sister, Anita Cillo of Westlake, Ohio. Tom is already dearly missed by his family and church congregation. May the memory of his life inspire a love for God and for one other. Donations can be made to the E. Tom Boytar Memorial Fund at Word of Faith Church, Chardon, Ohio. Calling hours will be 4-7pm on Saturday, April 14th at Burr Funeral Home 116 South Street (500′ South of Rt 6/Chardon Square) Chardon. The funeral and celebration of life will be on Sunday, April 15th at 2 pm at Word of Faith Church, 351 South St., Chardon, Ohio.