Tom was born in Edwardsville, Illinois, on September 15, 1959. His family briefly lived in San Francisco, California, but most of Tom’s childhood and adulthood were spent in Beaverton, Oregon. He was the sixth of seven children of Robert (Bob) and Vera Greger. Tom loved rocking in his recliners...his older siblings say that he was rocking in the crib! He attended St. John Fisher Elementary School and Wilson High School in Portland, Oregon. Tom had a newspaper route that he worked for many years in his youth. His best friend since third grade, Joe Halverson, accompanied Tom on most of those daily deliveries. As a teenager, Tom competed in chess tournaments and won an Oregon Open. He also played high school football and ran track. At the age of 16, Tom was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma in his spine. After surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, he survived, but was partially paralyzed. He worked at Tektronix and attended Portland Community College post-high school. Although most of Tom’s “grown-up” jobs were as an accounting technician, the last being at PERS for the State of Oregon, he was a people-person much more than a numbers-person. Tom met his future wife, Leslie, in 1993 through her work. They were married on May 17, 1997. On February 17, 2002, Tom and Leslie were overjoyed by the birth of their twins, Logan and Liana. Tom was a devoted father from day one. The love and pride he had for his kids blossomed with each passing day. Tom also had a very strong relationship with his dad. Tom was incredibly gregarious, sweet, positive, and spiritual. He talked to everyone as if they were a friend. In 2007, Tom was once again diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma in his spine. After chemotherapy and surgeries (major, minor, emergency), Tom once again beat the odds! This time, he became a complete parapalegic, losing all use of his legs. He had already started using a wheelchair in 2001, so he adjusted pretty well. He spent his early retirement making his kids breakfast each day and having philosophical morning talks with them, getting lunch and coffee ready for Leslie to take to work, transporting the kids to and from school, staying fit, and taking care of the house. Oh, and there was Oregon Duck Football viewing and more rocking! Tom’s family was incredibly lucky to have him pretty healthy for a long stretch. He was able to see Logan and Liana grow up, witness their amazing characters and talents, take family vacations (many to the Oregon Coast), see them graduate from high school, and know that they had an unorthodox, but strong start to their college careers. In August of 2019, he suffered from another cancer diagnosis, chemotherapy, and then in early 2020, surgery. All of the trauma his body endured caused a host of problems, including reduced kidney and heart function. In the end, although his spirit was strong, his heart was just too weak to continue beating. He was at peace and grateful for the wonderful life he had. He passed away with Leslie by his side on January 17, 2021. His mother, Vera, passed away when Tom was in his early 20s. He was also preceded in death by his father and stepmother, Mary, in 2020. He is survived by Leslie, Logan, Liana, Leslie’s parents-Jim and Linda Wylder, his sister-in-law-Michelle (Kevin), Leslie’s aunt-Cheryl (Micheal), and by his devoted siblings, Sister Beverly Greger, Ron Greger (Susan), Lucille Dungan (Joe), Margaret Echeveste, Theresa Greger, and Roberta Greger. The world has lost a shining light. We will carry him in our hearts forever.
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