Thomas Melville Marr

Tom’s faith and walk with the Lord started as a young boy, and was guided by the Bible, as stated in Psalms 119, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” He took Jesus at His word when He said: “I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father except by Me.”

He was a church usher most of his life, with close friend, Ernie Byers, caring for people. For years his caring extended to picking-up Widow Ladies and bringing them to church every Sunday. At Windsor Square, he set up church each week in the activity center, setting out song books, greeting people, assisting in the offeratory and communion.

Tom and Shirley’s focus was on the family, creating many special times weekly, with sister Alice and her husband John. Linda and Carol remember the singing and fun around the Eisenman juke box, or the many campout trips along the river at Verlot and Turlo with cousins Steve, Sandy, and Tommy. Tom made sure the tarp was mounted over the picnic table and a trench was made around the tent, because it always seems to rain on the fourth of July. The campfires and marshallmellow treats were always a fun time of sharing, and chasing the dog down the river added to the excitement.

Of course family time, meant game time….Pinochle, Pit, Yahtzee, Kings in the Corner, and outside an energetic game of “Croquet”. At family gatherings it was a rare person who could beat Tom at horseshoes.

Tom worked hard to provide for the family, even though at times it meant working Grave Yard. He showed great diligence in making sure the home was maintained well, and that things were neat and orderly. He even mowed the lawn in two directions each week to make it look like a putting green.

At Windsor Square, the weekly cleaning lady commented how clean and orderly his apartment was, he made her job easy . Many days Tom would meet Rita the mail lady at the curb to carry in the heavy box of mail, at break time he would share his Little Debbie Cookies with her.

The many family picnics, hikes, and tent camping expanded in later years to trailer excursions, with best friends, Ernie and Eileen Byers, with much joy and laughter, sharing meals and playing games. Their trips were mainly in the Northwest, but did venture to Yellowstone, Glacier, Jackson Hole, and to the Southwest, Arizona and New Mexico.

Tom enjoyed listening to music: Gospel Music, or Classic Western with Tennessee Ernie Ford, the Statler Brothers, and the many groups Bill Gather assembled.

All the memories and all the good times we shared with Tom and Shirley, will always make us smile, and bring a warm spot into our hearts, and will never be forgotten.

While at the Cottages, the helpers were gracious and attentive to his every need. As the fog of time began to close in, he still maintained a dry sense of humor…. How did you sleep Tom? With my eyes closed……How was your shower Tom? They ran me through the car wash and scrubbed me to the bone ,. ...but he added “ it felt good”. He still enjoyed being given a cup of coffee each morning and a special treat in the afternoon.

Tom outlived most of his close friends. With his health failing, he was at peace and ready to be with the Lord. He left this earth quickly and quietly in peace. He experienced the promise expressed in Proverbs 3

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”

He wasn’t perfect but he knew he was forgiven, and had a future home.

Arrangements entrusted to Schaefer-Shipman, Marysville, WA

Uncle Tom,

I'm really going to miss you.

You have been in my life, as far back as I have memory.

In my youth, I remember how close our families were, how close we lived to each other, and how much time we spent together.

I remember the vacations and outings you took me on, to places I've not been to since, so my memories of those places are with you.

You taught me many things in my early years.

How to play cribbage, and to never forget who the teacher was.

Pinochle, and to never forget who the teacher was.

How to avoid playing horseshoes, because it's no fun getting every ringer topped by you.

By my teens, I thought I was a very accomplished baseball player, especially at hitting. Thanks for teaching me humility, as I tried to hit a fast pitch softball that came into the plate from you like an electrocuted butterfly. Impossible to hit.

I still remember the suitcase and Living Bible you and Aunt Shirley gave me as a graduation present from High School. I traveled with both for many years.

You and Aunt Shirley always went out of your way to visit me. Albany, or, San Diego, Lake Oswego, and most recently, Sisters, OR. From those visits, unbeknownst to you, you taught me much about dog training. After your visits, I had to spend weeks convincing my dogs, that the strange sounds they heard from critters, were no longer in the house, and that they were just Uncle Tom. Now that I think of it, my kids may have been affected by those same critter sounds. They always remember you for that.

In later years, I sure enjoyed our dinners together, and your willingness to open up regarding your time serving our country during WWII. It was really fun to hear your stories, from Alaska to Britain, and hopefully I will someday get them incorporated into our family history that I'm working on.

Linda and Carol, thanks for sharing your dad with me. A very special guy.

All my love,

Steve