Thomas James Ludowitz

Thomas (“Tom”) James Ludowitz of Woodland Hills, California passed away on December 19th at the age of 96. An incredible husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, son, brother, uncle and friend, his memory will be treasured always—and he will forever live on in our hearts. Tom is survived by his daughter Jamie, grandson Kyler, granddaughter Cami, son-in-law Mark, niece Holly and her children, and nephews Keith, Larry and John and their children.

Tom was born on October 28, 1927, in Everett, Washington, just north of Seattle. His parents, Jack and Ruth, owned a local grocery business. Tom grew up surrounded by the love of his family in a quintessential smalltown neighborhood, helping periodically with his father’s business and spending his summers across the way in Newport, Washington, where his Grandfather Tom Kelly had been a state senator and town mayor. Tom was close with his older brother John, who was 11 years his senior—and he enjoyed a childhood filled with school activities, close friends, and writing for the science fiction magazine Space Tales, which Tom founded when he was 14 years old.

At the age of 16, Tom moved with his family to Los Angeles, where he attended Mar-Ken High School in Hollywood. During these years, Tom enjoyed Southern California life—taking part in memorable social times and serving as editor of his high school newspaper. He and his brother John together purchased a sail plane and Tom became a glider pilot while he was still in high school. After graduating from Mar-Ken in 1946, he entered Los Angeles City College, where he earned his Associate in Arts degree in 1949.

Tom then transferred to U.C.L.A. where he continued his academic work in the Social Sciences field, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology in 1951. While at U.C.L.A., he continued to pursue his passion for creative writing, music, art appreciation, and statistics. In 1952, he pursued post-graduate study at Los Angeles State College, where he received his Secondary Teaching Credential.

Following his academic studies, Tom began his professional career at Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach where he taught Sophomore English and History. At the age of 27, he left the teaching field to join his family’s business, the Van Nuys Plywood Company in the San Fernando Valley. Over the years, he became the President of that organization, which evolved into Woodland Hardware and Building Center. Tom served in that capacity, as part of a joint business operation with his brother John, until the family sold the company in 1980.

In 1954, Tom met his future wife Gloria Jeanne Hicks of Beverly Hills through close mutual friends. Tom and Gloria dated for two years and were wed in August of 1956. Following their marriage, he and Gloria moved to Sherman Oaks and then to Woodland Hills. In 1964, they built their “dream home” upon a hill overlooking the San Fernando Valley and welcomed their daughter Jamie in 1965.

Tom was always passionate about volunteerism and community service. He and Gloria were extremely active in local services clubs throughout the years, starting with the Sherman Oaks Junior Chamber of Commerce. Tom later became the First Vice President of the Woodland Hills Chamber of Commerce, as well as director of multiple committees and an organizer of the Woodland Hills “Freedom Season” program. Tom was also an early member of the Woodland Hills Rotary Club, where he held multiple director positions, served as a Member of the Board, was active in Rotary’s International Exchange program with Ciudad Obregón in Mexico, and became an honorary Paul Harris Fellow—retiring from the club just five years before his passing.

During his early retirement years, Tom managed landlord responsibilities, delved into the stock market, and pursued various entrepreneurial ventures including a mail-order book business and carpentry-door hanging business. An avid hobbyist, he also enjoyed a host of pastimes—indulging in his love of horse racing, Big Band and classical music, world travel, writing, fiction novels, old movies, and statistical analysis.

When his daughter Jamie married in 2004, he became a loving father-in-law to Mark Douglas. After sadly losing his wife Gloria to cancer in 2006, Tom devoted his passion and pastime in his senior years to becoming an amazing grandfather to his beloved young grandchildren—twins, Kyler and Cami. His grandkids were Tom’s greatest joy—and he was so very proud of the young adults that they have now become. Enjoying recreational interests and family activities with them kept him young at heart and in great shape to the age of 96!

Tom lived a full, wonderful life—rich with amazing experiences and many blessings. He was loved by so many and positively affected the lives of all he touched through his many years as a teacher, businessman, and community leader. Humorous, warm, witty, intellectual and full of love, his many fun stories about history, pop culture, and world affairs entertained all who were touched by his joy for life and learning. Tom has left us—and while we will miss him deeply—we have been so enriched by the many memories that he gave us and the great times we shared together.

To our sweet “Papa Tom”: Thank you for being the amazing patriarch of our family—and for all that you did to enrich our lives. You were such a good man, and this world is a far better place because you were a part of it. We love you so much and know that you will be watching over us always.

“A Video Tribute: In Loving Memory of Tom Ludowitz” can be viewed here: bit.ly/49936IX

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that charitable donations be made in Tom’s name to the American Heart Association.

A private Remembrance & Celebration of Life for Tom will be held with family and friends in the coming weeks.