Thomas Michael Hands Sr.

Thomas Hands born 10/9/1930 passed away peacefully on Sunday 12/22/2024. He was preceded in death by his wife Patricia, son Rick, daughter Tami and son Randy, grandson Keegan, father Joseph, mother Mary, brothers Joe, Bob and Dick, sisters Mary, Eileen and Pat. He is survived by his son, Tom (Nancy) Hands; grandchildren Bridget (John) Hannick, Abraham (Caroline) Hands, Nick (Nichole) VanElls, Casey (Gary) Berquist, Courtney VanElls, Matt (Stacey) VanElls, Katie (Mike) Sliter, and David (Tara) Piper along with many great grandchildren.

Tom served his country proudly joining the United States Navy at a young age. He served on the aircraft carrier USS Tripoli during the Korean conflict in both the Pacific and Atlantic Theaters. Tom and Pat enjoyed their many friends on their bowling leagues, spending the summer weekends at their trailer at Charlton Park on the Thornapple River drinking his ever present can of Budweiser beer, fishing, and sitting around the many campfires he had with family and friends After their retirement, they moved their trailer to the Six Lakes campground in Hillsdale where they remained until Pat passed away in September 2008. If you asked anyone of us, we would tell you he was a loyal friend with "unique personality". I am sure most of us will miss him (he would love this sentence). May he rest in Heaven with Jesus, Pat, his children and his extended family.