Dr. Thomas Allan Dlabal

Thomas Allan Dlabal, MD age 66, passed away on December 19, 2018 following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born to Dr. Luke and Dorothea Dlabal in Independence, MO. He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame, medical degree at the University of Missouri, and completed his orthopaedic surgical residency at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA. He also completed fellowships in spine and hand surgery.

He joined Orthopaedic Associates in 1984 where he treated all his patients like family. His concern for the indigent led him to open the first free medical clinic in Okaloosa County and treated many children with cerebral palsy at Silver Sands. He was on the board of trustees at FWBMC, past chief of staff at FWBMC, and team physician for Fort Walton Beach High school. Tom was Captain Billy Bowlegs XLVII and loved being a pirate.

Tom’s greatest joy was his 36-year marriage to Kathy Polgar Dlabal along with his two children, Matthew and Elizabeth (JR Johnson). He treasured his grandchildren Arianna (Chris Boltz), James, Anna, Caiden, and Levi.  He is survived by his brother Dr. Luke Dlabal, Jr. (Chrystal), his sister Kathy Rucker (Tom), sister-in-law Sally Cawby (Dale), and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.  Dr. Tom enjoyed sailing, snow skiing, water skiing, scuba diving, trivia, and Notre Dame football. He was a brilliant man full of compassion and love who will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be at Emerald Coast Funeral home on Friday, December 21st from 5:00-7:00pm.  A funeral mass will be held at St. Mary Church on December 22nd at 10:00am.  A celebration of life will follow mass at Magnolia Grill.  Interment will be in Easton, MD.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, St. Mary Church, or Emerald Coast Hospice.  Expressions of love and sympathy may be placed and viewed online at www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com

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