Thomas John Annear

Thomas John Annear of Visalia passed away on August 6, 2024. Born on August 5, 1933 in Merced, CA., Tom attended Merced High School where he played the Sousaphone in the band and was the editor of the yearbook. Tom was involved with the Boy Scouts and achieved Eagle Scout status and traveled by train to the 1950 Scout Jamboree at Valley Forge. He also volunteered as an adult when his boys were involved in Scouting. Tom attended Modesto Junior College and the University of California, Davis where he played football and majored in Ag Education. He was a member of the SAE Fraternity. While at MJC he met and married Bernice Hampton in the fall of 1954. Tom served in the Navy and was stationed in San Diego as a Corpsman at the Naval Hospital. He assisted with numerous laryngectomies, something he was very proud of.

Tom is survived by Bernice, his wife, of 70 years, children Kathe (Dennis), Tom (Colleen), John (Marla), Carrie (William), grandchildren Alison (Jacob), Jazmyne, Scott, Shannon, Matthew, and Andrew, many great-grands, nieces, nephews and cousins. We are especially thankful for great-granddaughter, Lauren Vuicich who was always ready to help with anything, large and small. Tom is preceded in death by his parents Thomas H. and Ruthellen (Youd) Annear, sister Marilyn (Harris), niece Sharon (Harris) brothers-in-law Dexter Hampton, Bill Hampton and William Harris and step-mother, Lucille Annear.

Growing up in Merced, Tom was raised in a loving home that was always filled with family and friends. Tom enjoyed woodworking, creating stained glass art, tennis, golfing, gardening, playing Bridge and traveling and being with his family and friends. Tom was a member of the United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir. Tom was a member of a Barbershop Quartet, several Bible study and Bridge groups. Tom was also a member of the Central California Blood Bank’s 30-gallon club for his blood donations. Tom was a Past member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and Past President of the Visalia Kiwanis Club and a lifelong fan of the San Francisco Giants.

Upon his retirement after serving in the Insurance industry for 30 years, Tom enjoyed traveling with his wife and visited all 50 US states, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Panama Canal. Always the adventurer, Tom went white-water rafting, rode in a hot-air balloon, rode a Cog-Rail in Switzerland, even canoeing on Lake Lorraine. Tom liked people and made a new friend everyday. Tom lived his incredible life knowing that every precious moment needed to be lived as fully as possible and because of him all our lives were filled with love and laughter. His family and friends will forever miss his firm handshake, big hugs and corny Dad jokes.

A Celebration of Life Service for Tom will be held at the Visalia United Methodist Church 5200 W. Caldwell, Visalia on August 23, 2024 at 1:30pm. Reception immediately following.

The family asks that any memorials be given to the Visalia United Methodist Church.