Thomas "Tom" Milford Drager

Thomas Milford Drager, 71, of the Town of Clay Banks, passed early Friday morning, January 30, 2026 at Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay with family at his side.

He was born July 6, 1954 in Beaver Dam, the son of Milford "Mo" Paul Drager and Fern Elizabeth (Fields) Drager. Tom attended Beaver Dam High School where he wrestled and played tennis. Upon graduating from high school in 1972, he went on to study civil engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he earned his bachelor's degree.

Tom initially worked for the Milwaukee Railroad as a helper and then eventually as an engineer. He went to work as an engineer for Morrison-Knudsen, an engineering firm out of Buffalo, NY. Tom started looking for engineering jobs and learned of an engineering position at Roen Salvage, a marine contractor company in Sturgeon Bay, WI. Prior to 1983, Door County, WI wasn't even on Tom's radar, but he took the job and adjusted his course to head west to Wisconsin. He purchased a farmhouse in the Town of Clay Banks and started working for Roen Salvage as an engineer.

Tom met Nancy Gail Lau through mutual family friends, and they were eventually married on July 13, 1996 at the farmhouse.

As he continued with Roen Salvage, Tom became the general manager, vice president, and eventually retired as president, but his humble demeanor and informal (clothing) style would never have lead you to believe that he was in those positions of even greater leadership. Anyone who knew Tom, knew that his favorite title was "professional engineer." Together, with Don Sarter, Tom Levy, and John Asher, the collaboration of "Don, Tom, Tom, and John" allowed Roen Salvage to continue to grow and develop into their present day existence. Tom retired from Roen Salvage in 2022.

He was raised Catholic and initially attended Holy Name of Mary Parish in Maplewood, upon moving to Door County. Later on, Tom attended Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church. He was a true outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, skiing, and hiking. Tom loved nature and all of its creatures, especially his border collie, Tillee. He and Nancy cared for their horses at home and liked riding with other family at the farm. Tom was a talented woodworker and even refinished his own house. He had a passion for music and was the lead guitarist for the band, Liquid Steel. Tom was an avid Green Bay Packers fan. On gameday, he could be found in section 120, in row 40, together with friends in seats 15 through 18. That general area was kind of an unofficial Door County zone, as there were usually other friends from Door County not far from there. But Tom's presence on gameday was most known from his legendary tailgating parties. Attending a tailgating party once, earned you "lifetime admittance" to his future tailgating parties.

Tom will be missed by his wife, Nancy, with whom he shared nearly 30 years of marriage; his children, Joseph (Kristy) Drager of Green Bay, Shenna (Alex "Michael") Cox of Cedar Hill, TN, and Nathan (Erin) Drager of Sturgeon Bay; grandchildren, Sabrina, Hunter, Trinity, and Nolan Drager, Taylor (Caitlin) Cox and Kimberly (Colin) Spivey, Tatum LaFave, and James and Jordan Fish; great-grandchildren, Campbell Cox, Shepherd Spivey, and Roman LaFave; sisters, Sue (Brad) Welch of Fox Lake and Meg (John) Crisafi of Monroeville, PA; siblings-in-law, Diana (Dave) Tadych of Iron Mountain, MI, Steve (Julie) Lau of Riverview, FL, and Rebecca Schmelzer of Brussels; nieces and nephews; other relatives; and friends.

 He was preceded in death by his parents; and other relatives.

Tom's life will be honored with a memorial service held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026 at Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church, 323 S. 5th Avenue, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 with Rev. Dr. Matthew R. Knapp, Sr. officiating. Tom will be laid to rest in Clay Banks Cemetery.

Visitation for family and friends will be held at the church on Friday, February 13, 2026 from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

Memorials may be given in Tom's name for the ALS Association (P.O. Box 37022, Boone, IA 50037; www.als.org/wisconsin).

"Our family would like to express heartfelt thanks to the entire Door County Medical Center staff (from the nurses, to the doctors, to housekeeping) for the wonderful care you provided."

Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Tom may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.HuehnsFuneralHome.com.

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