Dr. Tom Lovelace

On March 7th, Dr. Tom Lovelace peacefully concluded his time on earth, surrounded by his wife of nearly 20 years, Linda Armstrong, and close family.  Tom was successfully able to celebrate the momentous 100-year birthday of his dear mother, Jane Lovelace, just one day prior to his departure.  Preceded in death by his father Woodrow Lovelace, Tom endured a valiant battle against cancer.  Tom Lovelace, 73 years old, was able to gather with his children a final time over the weekend before declaring, “I am done”.

Tom began his life as a child in Portland, prior to moving to Salem OR in his early teen years, ultimately graduating from South Salem High School.  Tom was a Viet Nam veteran, having served on the Naval aircraft carrier “Coral Sea” in the Gulf of Tonkin.  Upon returning to Oregon as a civilian, Tom graduated from the previously name Western Oregon State College (WOU) and then graduated in the medical field of dentistry from Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU), first-in-class.  Following graduation, Dr. Lovelace embarked on a fulfilling 31-year career as a Salem family dentist before retiring in 2010.  Lovelace professionally partnered with skilled dental assistant Margaret Saxe.  Always with a servant’s heart, Tom Lovelace also performed dentistry at the Oregon Women’s Correctional facility, assisting with the dental needs of Oregon’s female incarcerated community. 

Tom Lovelace was a man of adventure, curiosity, exploration, and discovery.  His greatest treasure was finding his soul mate and partner, loving wife Linda Armstrong.  The inseparable couple would be found camping, fishing, playing hands of rummy, rv’ing around the western states, or simply searching for agates together on the banks of the Santiam River.  Notes Linda, “We laughed every single day together.  We chose happiness each day.  Even in the end.”  Additional passions of Tom’s were surfing, hunting, skiing, and general outdoor activities.  If there was a river or lake nearby, Tom Lovelace would likely be found there.  An engaging and thoughtful personality, Tom made friends everywhere he explored and traveled. 

Along with wife Linda Armstrong, Tom Lovelace is survived by his mother Jane, sisters Nancy Hoffert (husband Pete) and Annie Seifer (husband Jack), as well as daughters Jaime Morris (husband Ted), Jessica Goffe (husband Jason), and Jackie Riffe (husband Jacob).  Tom’s world had three wonderful grandchildren who filled his heart with joy in Sierra & Landen Miller and Raelynn Riffe.  His nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, and countless family members were vitally important to Tom’s personal happiness.  Three individuals who were most commonly by Tom’s side throughout his adventures were his dearest friends, Danny Quanbeck, Scott McLeod, & Dr. Jim Parosa. 

Tom and the family wish to deeply thank the medical professionals who tackled the challenges of his battle, specifically Dr. John Strother, Dr. Amitha Gona, and Dr. Bud Pierce, all gifted caretakers from Oregon Oncology Specialists.

By Tom’s request, there will be no service for his passing.  Instead, he asked family members to bring his ashes back to the sea.  His location of choice?  His common surf spot, the waves on the shores of Pacific City.  In his final moments on earth, Tom Lovelace shared with Linda and immediate family his simple, yet profound guiding messages, “First, always brush and floss.  Secondly, always ALWAYS choose happiness.”