Thomas Motley

Tom was born on April 10, 1938, in New Ulm, Minnesota to Jack and Emma “Blanche” (Carter) Motley. Tom lived with his family on a farm near Doland, South Dakota until they moved to Hutchinson, Minnesota in 1947. He graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1956 and attended Dunwoody College of Technology and graduated with a degree in Machine Tool Technology in March of 1959. During high school and college, he worked during the summers on area farms, riding his scooter for transportation. Tom had a lengthy career as a machinist and tool and die maker until retiring in 2001.

Tom married Janice “Jan” Fay Ekman on January 24, 1959, in Sisseton, South Dakota. Immediately after Tom’s graduation from Dunwoody, they moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa where their first two children were born. They also had a home in Hutchinson, Stillwater, and Saint Paul, Minnesota before moving to Phoenix, Arizona in July of 1966 where their third child was born. They raised their three children in the home where they lived for 33 years until they moved to Sun City, Arizona in 1999. Tom and Jan remained there until their deaths.

At the age of 15, Tom made his choice to serve God and his life reflected a true love for God’s will. Tom and Jan had an open home for fellowship meetings and graciously welcomed many friends and those in the ministry into their home. Tom’s quiet steadfastness and faithfulness through the years were an encouragement to many.

Tom was an excellent wood craftsman. His love of woodworking can be seen throughout his home in the furniture he made, and in the wedding gifts of grandfather clocks he made for each of his children. Tom also enjoyed the hobby of building and flying remote-controlled airplanes and was often found in the garage building an airplane, or at the flying field where he enjoyed the hobby and the company.

Tom is survived by his sister, Gayle Motley, of Willmar, MN, a son, Calvin (Ronda) of Phoenix, AZ, a daughter, Karen Walker (Mark), of Scottsdale, AZ, a daughter Sharilyn Richtsmeier (Jim) of Grand Forks, ND. Also surviving Tom are 15 grandchildren: Devin (Megan) Motley, Austin and Coltin Motley, Bryce (Ashlyn) Walker, Chad (Michelle) Walker, Kyla (Darin) Goza, and Camille (Alex†) Forbes, Abshiro (Mo) Hashi, Cali, Brinna, Grant, Ayana, Michael, Mikayla and Landon Richtsmeier and 12 great-grandchildren. Also sharing his life are other relatives and many dear friends.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Jan in 2011, his parents, Jack and Blanche of Hutchinson, MN, and his brother, Richard of Palatine, IL.

A visitation for Thomas will be held Monday, May 2, 2022 at 11:30 AM at West Resthaven Funeral Home, 6450 West Northern Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301. A funeral service will occur Monday, May 2, 2022 at 12:30 PM, 6450 West Northern Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301. An interment will occur Monday, May 2, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Phoenix Memorial Park & Mortuary, 200 W Beardsley Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85027.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Hospice of the Valley. Please send to: Hospice of the Valley, In Memory of Thomas Motley, 1510 E. Flower St, Phoenix, AZ 85014.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.westresthavenfuneralhome.com for the Motley family.