1977-2024
Thomas Joseph (T.J.) Redfern, II was born in Guthrie Center on Feb. 15, 1977, to Thomas and Cindy (McCarty) Redfern. He was the youngest of three sons.
Growing up, T.J. enjoyed fishing, hunting and being just plain ornery. He graduated from Guthrie Center High School, where he participated in football, wrestling and swim team.
During his senior year, T.J. made his family proud and wrestled his way to the State tournament.
After graduation, T.J. worked in construction until he started trucking across the country, where he met several life-long friends. He did this until 2011 when he entered the insurance business.
By 2020, T.J. returned to his first passion — trucking. He took a leap of faith and bought his semi, becoming his own boss and a businessman.
In 2009, T.J. met his wife Andrea during a roping tournament at the Dallas County Fair in Adel. The sparks flew, and they were married a few years later on Aug. 24, 2013. T.J.’s heart swelled when they welcomed their son, Kroy, into the world two years later. Two years after that, it swelled again when their younger son, Brylon, joined the family.
T.J. had the same love for his nieces and nephews. As each one joined the family, he welcomed them with open arms — hanging out with them in the “cave,” teaching them to fish, taking them coyote hunting and horseback riding, competing in roping contests with them, cheering them on at sporting events, and teasing them endlessly with silly nicknames.
Many loved ones await T.J.’s arrival in heaven, including his father, Thomas Joseph Redfern, his grandparents, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
T.J. is survived by his wife, Andrea (Clark); sons, Kroy and Brylon; mother, Cindy; brother, Chad and his children, Delaney (Jeb), Dakota and Alexis; brother, Travis (Courtney) and his children, Mackenzie and Justin; father and mother-in-law, Paul and Sheryl Clark; brother-in-law, Travis (Christy) and his children Vada, Priya and Bodie; and brother-in-law, Dustin (Sarah), all of Guthrie Center. Many aunts, uncles, cousins and great friends also survive him.
T.J. joined his father, Tom, in heaven on Aug. 24, 2024, where they are likely fishing or playing cards. No matter what they are doing, they are laughing and happy. T.J. will be greatly missed by his family and friends who will remember his devotion to his loved ones, his fondness of music, and his great and unfailing sense of humor.