Thomas Lee Girard Sr.

Thomas L. Girard, Sr. “Tom”, 77, passed away Tuesday, June 17, 2014 with his family by his side. Tom was born on October 11, 1936 in Aberdeen, South Dakota to Ray Houseman and Leila Helmka and was later adopted by Colby Girard.

Tom moved to Kelso, Washington in 1949 where he attended and graduated from Kelso High School. He served in the United States Air Force from 1955-1959. Tom married Marlene Rukkila on January 21, 1961. Tom served as a Kelso City Councilman and was passionate about the community that he called home. In his lifetime, he worked for several grocery store companies, including Girard’s Market, a family-owned store, in the early 70s. He loved to tell stories about his employment with Standard Dairy and was also a Hostess delivery driver (which his children loved). He moved to Yakima in 1999 where he worked as an apartment manager.

Tom was admired by many for his good sense of humor, his wit, and his undying love for his family. He was incredibly proud of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He would brag at every opportunity he could about his family. He loved “piddling” in the yard and was always looking for the neatest/oddest-looking plants and flowers. He was an avid reader and his family knew that he was one of the smartest people on the planet. He was a sports enthusiast and loved country music. Tom loved his Dachshunds, Gus, Heidi and Dixie. Some of Tom’s most enjoyable times were spent watching his kids’ sports, becoming Little League President and coaching girls’ softball and he tried to be at every game. Tom loved playing pranks on others and spent most his life seeking laughter and humor in all things. He said about himself recently, “I’ve been a smart a** all of my life,” and anyone who knew him would agree that he was good at it.

Tom is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marlene Girard of Yakima; five daughters, Terri Girard-Hammar, Michelle Liebmann (Todd), Kathleen Labrum (David), Rebecca Casiano (Paul) of Killeen, Texas, and Jennifer Francis (Ray) of Pensacola, Florida; his only son, Tom Girard, Jr. (Jolene) of Selah; twenty-one grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; his mother Leila Girard of Yuma, Arizona; five sisters, Carol Gregg (Pete), who was especially dear to his heart, Charlotte Girard, Marilyn Jacobson, Susan Quattlebaum and Darlene Komora; two brothers, Wendell Girard and Colby Girard, Jr.; and countless nieces and nephews. Tom was preceded in death by his father, Colby Girard, Sr., and one brother, Robert Girard.

Tom will be truly missed by all who knew him, his quirky smile after a smart or witty comment, which came freely and often.

Memorial Services with Full Military Honors will be on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home. To share a memory of Tom, visit www.lmfuneralhome.com.