Thomas Stinnett Friedel Jr.

Born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania to Thomas S. and Willetta (Foreman) Friedel, Tom moved to Seattle with his family in 1954.

He graduated from Ballard High School in 1961 where he was co-captain of the football team. His senior year he was in Latin Class with a sophomore, Carol Gorman. They married September of 1965 and gratefully shared the next 60+ years together until his death on July 9, 2026.

Tom received a full football scholarship to Eastern Washington University but liked to tell everyone he declined it so that he could stay in Seattle to be near Carol. He graduated with a BA in Sociology from Seattle University.

He was accepted to the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Washington, but the US Army and Vietnam War intervened. He received basic training at Ft Lewis, WA and then advanced Medical Corpsman Training at Ft Sam Houston, Texas. From there he was sent to Vietnam where he served as a combat medic and was awarded the purple heart. He returned home safely on April 23, 1968; that date became a special day of remembrance he and Carol celebrated each year thereafter.

After returning to Seattle, he worked for Washington Natural Gas Company in sales. Then through his own recovery in 1972 began to work in the field of alcoholism: first at Burien Community Alcohol Center and then with the Employee Assistance Programs for the State of Washington, then the City of Seattle, and finally with King County/Metro. He helped countless people begin their journey to recovery.

Tom was a kind, loving and gentle person. He made life fun. There was nothing he enjoyed more than making people laugh. He loved music—he played the banjo, guitar, harmonica and ukulele. He liked the study and sound of the Spanish language. Wherever he and Carol traveled he would learn a bit of the language of that country. Tom loved playing tennis, he liked the competition, the exercise, and most importantly, the friendships made. He was an avid reader, especially after his retirement in 2008.

Tom is survived by his loving wife Carol, his sister Linda Barrett (Robert), his brothers-in-law Jim Gorman (Pam) and Ross Gorman (Mary), and many wonderful nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, sisters Martha “Marti” Atwood and Mary Louise “Mary Lou” Powers and by his niece Brigitte Bissett.

A celebration of Tom’s life will be held, Sunday, July 26, at Evergreen-Washelli Funeral Home in Seattle: 11111 Aurora North at 1pm.

Remembrances may be made to the American Cancer Society.