Thomas W. DeJardin

Thomas Wayne DeJardin was born in Salem, Oregon to parents Lester and Phyllis (Ganz) DeJardin on March 27th, 1940. Tom was raised in Gervais, Oregon and later West Linn, Oregon. He graduated from West Linn High School in 1958.

Following high school, Tom served in the US Army from 1962 - 1964. He attended Oregon State University, Portland State University, and the University of Portland. Tom achieved two Master's Degrees - one in Public Administration and another in Social Work. Tom worked as a Nursing Home Administrator for Holgate Center and later served as an administrative troubleshooter for various nursing homes. Tom contributed to the long term care community through his gift of using that bear hug to warm the hearts of those who worked so hard to make things better for elders. In that way he allowed them to learn to give back the same warmth and compassion for the disenfranchised. His ability to make people feel valued was one of his greatest gifts. He was able to do that in every facility he ever managed and people liked to come to work.

In addition to his career as an administrator, Tom also served on both Metro Council and West Linn City Council.

Tom had a more than 20-year commitment to the Macdonald Center in NW Portland, bringing his knowledge, skills, and compassion to help create a new model of community-based care. He served as director during its beginnings in a church basement, and later was a founding member and chairperson of the Center's Board of Directors.

He married Elena Ratushny on October 15th, 1988, in Portland, Oregon, and they were a worthy match for each other for 24 years. Together they contributed greatly to their blended families, friends, and communities of interest.

A lifelong self-taught doodler/artist, Tom was an accomplished and prolific watercolor painter. He painted still life images, landscapes, and especially enjoyed painting flowers. His art was exhibited in Oregon and Mexico, and many of his family and friends have his wonderful paintings in their homes. Tom was also a passionate gardener and writer.

Tom will be remembered as a man who liked to poke fun, had a dry, sarcastic sense of humor and he gave fantastic bear hugs. Elena was the love of his life, and he deeply valued his family, friends and lifelong work for social justice. He will be missed by everyone who knew who him, except certain members of the Right Wing coalition....

Tom is survived by his wife Elena, two sisters and a brother, and a blended family that includes 5 children and their spouses, and 6 grandchildren.

A Celebration of Tom's Life and Reception will take place on Saturday, July 21st, at 11am.

Montgomery Park - Banquet Room, First Floor

2701 NW Vaughn Street, Portland, Oregon, 97210

Guest Parking Available in the West Parking Lot.

Please visit and make an entry into the guestbook portion of this site.

In lieu of flowers, Remembrances may be made in Tom's honor to Macdonald Center: www.macdcenter.org