John L. Tomasovic Sr.
A legend in the plant industry, true gentleman, and the owner of a venerable family business in St. Louis, died January 11, 2018. John L. Tomasovic, Sr. AAF, was 83 years old.
Tomasovic, the owner Tomasovic Greenhouses & Nursery Inc., graduated from the University of Missouri in Columbia in 1956 with a degree of agriculture and was a member of the Farmhouse Fraternity. He went on to become one of the industry’s most dedicated leaders, known both for his vision and determination to grow the next generation.
“John was he was a true gentleman — he always had a smile when he greeted you and really wanted to know when he asked you how you were doing,” said Dr. Marvin Miller of Ball Horticultural in West Chicago, Illinois. “He always was eager to get young people into the horticulture industry. If he knew you, he really helped to make sure you were successful.”
In 1969, Tomasovic Sr. and wife, Pep, purchased Tomasovic Greenhouses & Nursery Inc. from his father to carry on the family tradition of growing prize-winning flowers — his father, John, and uncle, George, had purchased the greenhouses from Charles Meier in 1931. Today, Tomasovic Greenhouses and Nursery comprise more than three acres of glass and plastic. Two greenhouses were part of the horticulture exhibit at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis and are still included in plant production.
Throughout his long and distinguished career, Tomasovic served in many leadership roles throughout the floral industry. He sat on the Society of American Florists’ board of directors from 1984 to 1987 and also was the chairman of the group’s Growers Council, and a member of its awards committee and Hall of Fame board of trustees. In addition, he served on the American Academy of Floriculture’s board of trustees and was a past president of the Missouri State Florist Association, Allied Florist of Greater St. Louis, Bedding Plant Foundation, and St. Louis Flower Growers Association.
Tomasovic was dedicated to preparing young people for a career in the floral industry. The American Floral Endowment’s John L. Tomasovic, Sr. Scholarship is presented to sophomore, junior or senior undergraduate students with financial need and grade point average between 3.0 and 3.5. To date, about $20,000 has been distributed through the scholarship to dozens of students.
“John contributed to his scholarship fund every year and reviewed every application,” said Debi Chedester, executive director of the American Floral Endowment. “He loved seeing the applications and was excited about the future leaders of the industry.”
Tomasovic was also active in his local community, serving as president of the Des Peres Optimist Club and earning lifetime membership with the The World Bird Sanctuary. He was also a former alderman with the city of Des Peres, and served on a number of civic committees throughout his adult life.
He was the beloved husband for 62 years of Pep, and the loving father of John L Tomasovic, Jr. (Beth) and Susan Tomasovic McClellan. In addition, he was the grandfather of Elizabeth Gaydos (Paul), Priscilla Calvird (Kevin), John L. Tomasovic, III, Christopher Calvird (Leeann), and the late Krista McClellan. He also had three great grandchildren.
Contributions in memory of John can be made to the John L. Tomasovic, Sr. Scholarship Fund, endowment.org/donate.
