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Jon Thomas “Tom” Dols, 74, the husband of the Rev. Patricia C. Dols, retired pastor of Memorial UMC in Poolesville, died suddenly Feb. 13, 2013. District Superintendent Vivian McCarthy and the Rev. William “Bill” Maisch officiated at a funeral service Feb. 18 at Memorial UMC. Interment was in Emmanuel UMC Cemetery in Laurel.

He was born in Minneapolis, the son of Virgil and Margaret Dols. He and the Rev. Patricia Dols married in 1985 at Good Shepherd UMC in Waldorf. He had two children and four step children, who survive.

Since 2001, Dols’ wife has served several churches, always with his support. He pitched in to help wherever and whenever needed. These included the churches and communities where she was appointed: From 2001 to ‘04, she was Associate Pastor at Faith UMC in Rockville, then in 2004 was appointed to Ridgeley UMC. In 2008, she went to Greenmount UMC in Hampstead until 2011 when she was appointed to Memorial UMC. She retired in November 2012.

After graduating from the University of Minnesota in history, Dols began a 37-year career with the Federal government, first in the U.S. Army in the Army Chemical Corps and then as a chemist at the Food and Drug Administration where he specialized in adverse reactions of drugs on animals. He retired in 1998.

His calling was a lifetime of mission work, his children said, “mostly working with the homeless and poverty-stricken, with the deep desire to make a lasting difference in the lives and situations of those he served.” His accomplishments included establishing a rotating winter shelter in Laurel, serving as a charter member of the Board of Directors for Churches Concerned for the Homeless in Howard County, and helping to start a shelter program in Harford County, now a year-round 31 bed shelter.

Dols enjoyed teaching the Bible, helping others grow as Disciples, and singing in the choir.

Survivors include his wife, two children: Kevin Dols of Elkridge, Kristine Dols Fessenden of Poolesville, and four step-children: Michelle Bassani of Sykesville, Billie Moynihan of Fulton, Pa.a, , Charlie Klinck of Aspen Hill, and David Klinck of Leesburg, Va., and 12 grandchildren .

Condolences may be sent to Rev. Pat Dols, 419 Clubside Drive, Taneytown, MD 21787.

Memorial donations may be made to Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services, 311 Laurel Ave., Laurel, MD 20707.