Thomas Joseph Cadwell

Dad was born in 1928, in Roslyn, WA, to Margaret and Thomas Cadwell. He had one brother, Charles. When Dad was five, the family relocated to Renton. He attended Sartori Elementary, where he earned free movies at the Roxy by being a crossing guard. He went on to Renton Junior High and High School, in that beautiful old building whose facade still graces downtown Renton. While in high school, he played football, just the beginning of a life-long love of the sport.

After graduation, Dad joined the army and served in the Philippines and Okinawa. Following his discharge, he returned to Renton and went to work for Pacific NW Bell, which became US West, which became Qwest, which became Century Link. He worked there for 41 years.

Also upon returning to Renton, he met the woman who would become our mother, Lucille. He once tried to impress her by diving into a lake and ended up doing the world’s biggest belly flop instead. She must have been at least a little impressed, because on June 24, 1950, she married him. They remained married for the next 57 years, until her death in 2007. During the years after retirement, they travelled extensively throughout the US.

Along the way, they had three children, Sharon, Joe and Randie. He was a wonderful and loving father. He was giving with his knowledge, teaching us about cars and household projects, how to fish, how to camp, how to be good people. He liked to joke and tease, and delighted in embarrassing us in public when we’d reached that age when even being seen with a parent was embarrassing.

He was thrilled when his family grew by five grandchildren, Jenny, Brian, Sara, Kate and Craig. He was something beyond thrilled in the last few years by the addition of three great grandsons, Luke, Ben and Evan.

He loved sports and was an avid golfer throughout his adult life. He cheered on the UW football team, waging 25 cent bets with our mother on the outcome of every game. (Go Huskies!) Winnings would eventually be taken to Reno or Las Vegas. He was a huge Seahawks fan. (Go Hawks!) He wasn’t as big a fan of baseball as football, but enjoyed watching the Mariners with his granddaughter. (Go Ms!)

Dad was one of those people that everybody liked. Adults liked him. Children liked him. Dogs and cats loved him and if that isn’t the sign of a good person, what is?

We’re going to miss him terribly, but we have all these wonderful memories to hold onto and the legacy of everything that a good parent passes on.