Timeline by Gavin Funk

November, 1940

funkgavin7 — 2025-03-19 21:53:34 UTC

In November of 1940, Thomas Funk was born in Akron, Ohio, to a second-generation Italian immigrant mother and an American father. He was the first born child in his family.

Circa 1900

funkgavin7 — 2025-03-19 22:03:29 UTC

Around 1900, Thomas's grandfather was forced to leave his home country of Italy, under threat of imprisonment.

1958-1962

funkgavin7 — 2025-03-19 22:06:59 UTC

After graduating high school, Thomas attended the University of Akron on a football scholarship. Here, he chose to pursue civil engineering, but later changed his focus to psychology. Due to an injury, Thomas was forced to quit football and work in a rubber shop to pay his way through school. Eventually, he was hired by an engineering firm and began work there.

1981

funkgavin7 — 2025-03-19 22:23:37 UTC

After years of working in engineering, Thomas eventually quit his job at the firm and got his realtor license. From here, he opened up his own real estate business.

August, 1969

funkgavin7 — 2025-03-19 22:26:45 UTC

On August 17th, 1969, Thomas and his wife Judith welcomed their fourth child, my father, Michael.

1939-1945: World War II

funkgavin7 — 2025-03-19 22:41:54 UTC

Thomas' father was drafted to fight in WWII, and as such, he was not around for the beginning of his life. This had huge implications on Thomas' life, as he had a rocky relationship with his father.

1955-1975: Vietnam War

funkgavin7 — 2025-03-19 22:47:20 UTC

Thomas was in college during the Vietnam War, a very tumultuous time in American history. With many protests taking place on college campuses across the country, Thomas had a front row seat to what is arguably the greatest counterculture movement in American history.

1954-1968: Civil Rights Movement

funkgavin7 — 2025-03-19 22:53:56 UTC

During this time, the Civil Rights Movement was in full swing. This movement aimed to abolish racial segregation and end discrimination, primarily against African Americans.

1950-1953: Korean War

funkgavin7 — 2025-03-19 23:01:38 UTC

In 1950, the United States became involved in the conflict between Communist and non-Communist forces in the Korean peninsula. Thomas recalls doing atomic bomb drills in school, where students would hide under their desks in the event of a nuclear explosion.

1972: Watergate Scandal

funkgavin7 — 2025-03-19 23:08:38 UTC

In 1972, the news broke that President Nixon had illegally wiretapped the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee in an effort to aid his reelection. This led to his resignation in 1974. This had huge ramifications, as trust in the American government was shaken nationwide.