Thomas Edward Walter

Thomas Edward Walter
June 25, 1928 - April 10, 2018

Thomas Edward Walter was born on June 25th, 1928 to Gladys Elmore Walter and Frank Clifford Walter in Englewood, New Jersey. He died peacefully under hospice care at home in Gig Harbor WA, after being called by his Lord on April 10th, 2018 at the age of 89. Tom is survived by his best friend and loving wife of 62 years, Ilean of Gig Harbor WA, his son Thomas Clifford Walter and daughter-in-law Deborah of Gig Harbor, his daughter Lynn Ann Walker and son-in-law Thomas of Battle Ground WA, and his daughter Nancy Ellen Walter and her partner Tanya of Denver, CO. Tom was blessed with five grandchildren and two great grandchildren; Drew Walter of Folsom, CA and his wife Ashley and their son Avyn and daughter Rhiannon, Ryan Walter of Gig Harbor, Brett Walter and his wife Anel of New Rochelle, NY, Hannah Walker of Portland, OR and Tessa Walker of Albany, OR.

Tom's father died when he was 6 and he was raised by his mother Gladys with whom he had a strong and loving relationship. Tom played football for and graduated from high school in Englewood, NJ at the age of 17 and immediately enlisted in the Navy. Although he was the youngest in his boot camp class, he quickly demonstrated the leadership qualities that he exemplified throughout his life, and was voted Honor Man by his classmates; the person they felt best epitomized the military bearing, and the qualities of leadership, teamwork and camaraderie. Tom served as a quartermaster on the U.S.S. Shakori, the U.S.S. Coral Sea and the U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt. After serving in the Navy, Tom attended Lehigh University on the G.I. Bill where he served as President of Chi Phi Fraternity. Tom graduated from Lehigh with a degree in Civil Engineering.

Tom's business career began with National Supply Company and a training program that took Tom and Ilean to Texas, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York, starting them on a lifetime of moving to new places and new adventures. Starting in 1957 Tom took a job with Standard Oil, later to become Chevron Oil Corp., and he remained with the company for 30 years until he retired. Tom's career with Chevron led him down new career pathways in sales, marketing and management. While working for Chevron, new places and opportunities called and Tom and Ilean and their three children lived in New Jersey, Maine (2x), Massachusetts (2x), Connecticut, California (2x), Hawaii, and Kentucky. Tom believed in embracing change and often said that life didn't stand still, we either move forward or backward.

After retirement, Tom and Ilean looked for a place to call home and chose Gig Harbor because the beautiful harbor reminded them of their beloved Maine, without all the snow! Tom lived in Gig Harbor for 22 years and, as with all the other places he lived, involved himself in his community and volunteering. In every sense of the word Tom was a gentleman; a gentle soul who lived by a strong moral code that he never wavered from. He felt so fortunate with what he was able to achieve in his life and the many blessings that he received. Tom was always looking for ways to help others and gave his time generously to his friends, neighbors and charities. Tom served as an elder at Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church and supported many charities throughout his life. Tom loved nurturing and mentoring young people both at work and in his community and he tutored in the Tacoma Community College GED program. Tom never shied away from hard work and he loved being outside building homes for Habitat for Humanity and dormitories for an orphanage in Mexico.

Tom loved to be on the water and in Maine he was able to continue enjoying his love of the sea by purchasing a Chris-Craft cabin cruiser upon which his family spent many happy weekends sailing to various islands off the coast of Maine. He loved sports, playing football and baseball in his youth, and he enjoyed skiing, tennis and golf. It never mattered what the score, he always had a wonderful time; his favorite response when he was asked how his golf game had gone was "The scenery was beautiful and the fellowship wonderful". After his retirement, together with his wife Ilean and their many friends, he loved experiencing new places and people through travel and getting together with family for vacations.

Throughout his life Tom's top priority was family and he showered them with his unconditional love. No matter how busy he was his children and grandchildren knew he would prioritize time with them and his calm demeanor, respectfulness, ability to listen without judgement and his candor and honesty made it easy for them to talk with him about their lives. Even if they didn't always get the answer they wanted he always had a saying, scripture or story to help them understand why he felt they should take a certain path. His family will sorely miss the beautiful smile that lit up his face and those of others around him, his sweet natured teasing, his sense of humor and warm enveloping hugs.

Tom's Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, May 9th at 2 pm in the Memorial Chapel at Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church in Gig Harbor. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to one of the following organizations that were important to Tom. The Salvation Army at tacoma.salvationarmy.org. New Life Homes, an orphanage in Swaziland, South Africa at chapelhillpc.org/ministries/missions/church-partners. Please note funds are to go to the Student Scholarship Fund at New Life Homes.