Mr. Thomas Richard Humphrey

Thomas Richard Humphrey, 81, of Mesa, Arizona and Valley City, ND passed away on February 4th, 2017 at Hospice of the Valley. He went quickly and peacefully, and without pain, after complications of heart surgery.

Tom was born in Valley City, ND on December 21, 1935 to Thomas Henry Humphrey and Elsie Bertha Humphrey (Stephan). He grew up in nearby Sanborn, ND.

He graduated from Sanborn High School in 1953, where he played on the Basketball Team. He attended college at ND State University majoring in Aeronautical Engineering. After 3 semesters he decided he wanted to work on airplanes, not design them. In 1955 he enlisted in the USAF, where he studied Jet Engine Mechanics after Basic Training. He got his love of aircraft from his father.

In 1956, while stationed at Larson AFB, in Moses Lake, WA, he met the LOVE of his life, Shirley Ann Griffith, in Ritzville, WA. They were married on April 10th, 1957.

Tom, spent 28 years in the USAF. Assignments in Oregon, England, Arizona, Spain, Thailand,and finally Virginia kept him busy over the years. He had a lot of adventures, saw many sights, and acquired many friends along the way.

Tom's final assignment was Langley AFB in Hampton, VA. After cross-training from Jet Engine Mechanic to Software Engineer, he retired in 1982 at the rank of SMSGT with 28 years of service. Tom then went to work for several Defense Contractors, where he worked on a project for the US Army. He followed the project from Texas to California and back. In 2000, he retired from his second career and settled back in The Colony, TX.

In 2004, he moved to Hayden, ID. In 2009 his wife Shirley passed away. In 2010 he moved to Mesa, AZ. In 2015 he purchased a condominium in Valley City, ND to escape the hot Arizona summers, do some fishing and reconnect with old friends.

In 2016, he met Marlee Simms, of Scottsdale, AZ, his loving companion until his death.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife of 52 years. He is survived by his 4 children: Audrey Humphrey, Laurie Angell, Lisa Schubert (Karl) and Richard Humphrey. He has 5 grandchildren: Ashley Hardin (Dan), Richard Humphrey (Melissa), Stuart Humphrey, Jimmy Angell, and Danielle Angell. He also has two great granddaughters: Sophia and Genevieve. He also leaves behind his younger brothers: Roy Humphrey (Bonnie) and Robert Humphrey (Carol), and Aunt Doris Stevensen (Stephan).

Tom enjoyed keeping active and loved to travel. He had a Restless Soul. He kept busy with home improvement projects, gardening, tinkering in his garage, and Genealogy.

Anyone who knew him, knew he was an HONORABLE MAN. He was smart, kind, generous, loving, and INVINCIBLE. He will be laid to rest on Thursday, 9 Feb at 2:00 at the National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix, AZ with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, respectfully request donations to the Military Warriors Support Foundation in his honor.