Thomas Michael Surdyke, 18, of Festus died June 28, 2016, in Stony Brook, NY. Cadet Surdyke was a member of the Class of 2019 at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Company B, 4th Regiment. He was a valued member of his company’s Sandhurst team and made the dean’s list both semesters of his freshman year.
Cadet Surdyke, who died after saving the life of another swimmer on June 24, was posthumously awarded the Soldier’s Medal, awarded to an active duty military member who “distinguished himself or herself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy.”
He was born July 4, 1997, in Festus, the son of Timothy Scott and Janice Louise (Laiben) Surdyke of Festus.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by three sisters: Elaine, Rosemary and Frances; his grandparents: Mark and Joyce (Meyer) Laiben and Gary and Linda (Sliman) Surdyke; his great-grandfather, J. Frank Laiben; aunts and uncles Greg (Ginger) Surdyke, Matt (Jennifer) Surdyke, Michael (Ann) Laiben, Debbie (Bruce) Washeck, Cindy Surdyke, Jennifer (Josh) Huelsing, Rene (Chris) Creed, Rebecca (Matthew) Watterkotte, Sarah Surdyke and Emily (David) Lopez; 34 cousins; and numerous great-aunts and great-uncles.
A memorial gathering is scheduled for 6 p.m. and a memorial service at 7 p.m. Friday, July 22, at the Lexington Inn, 1200 W. Gannon Drive, in Festus. Arrangements are under the direction of Mahn Funeral Home in De Soto.