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Thomas Anderson Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Nov. 10, 2012.

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Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Anderson

What is your first memory of Thomas?

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Not sure what to say?

December 8, 2012

Joaquin Arruiza

Happy Birthday T, pissed that you're not here to celebrate with us! We miss you so much and all the good times we had. See you in the better place someday!
Joaquin & Kim Arruiza

December 8, 2012

Danny Hagan

Happy Birthday buddy - keep the field manicured up there till I arrive - and we'll strike em all out again...

December 3, 2012

Barbara Ishitani

Tom- I'm so glad that you and I had our chance to reconnect after all these years. I enjoyed our times chatting over lunch together.
It seems like you were starting to really enjoy life more as you were reinventing yourself with working on your new house, your music and DJ-ing. You will be especially missed at our 40th, but know we will all be thinking of you.
Since we didn't have the opportunity while you were here, please save me a spot at the driving range up there. Remember you owe me one! Until then....

November 26, 2012

KYLE WARNER

Dude you had the kind of smile that always made things right. By now you must be hangin' with Hendrix, Bowser, Kenford, Hartfield and Fox. If they put your previous body at Greenwood, it is in the presence of the best. Keep a seat reserved for me...see you soon.....Kyle

November 24, 2012

Jo Ann Akada

It was so good to connect with friends like you at the Cleveland reunion. I'm so thankful for the wonderful memories I have of those care free times in high school and I'm so sad to know that I'll miss out on the opportunity to see you at future reunions and experience fun times as we look to connect with old friends in our retirement years. You will be missed, Tom!

November 20, 2012

Karen Burke

I keep coming back to this book and the amazing outpouring of friendship and love there is for Tom. Penny and I, our children and grandchildren, will miss him. There are a lot years left that he should have been here to experience. We love you Tom!

November 20, 2012

Cordel Becker

We are all very Blessed to have known Tom. I remember the first time I met him in Jr high how respectful, funny, and easy going he was. Tom respected his fellow man without hesitation in regards to which part of the tracks you came from. I will always cherish the the conversation we had at our 35th class reunion and how excited he was that I made the trip to attend, then again Tom made us ALL feel special and welcome in his life no matter how big or how small the friendship. You will be missed my friend but not forgotten.

November 19, 2012

Howard Nelson

Im so sorry that i haven't signed Tom Guest Book sooner, but i knew that when i did, that i was admitting that Tom is really gone. I had really hard time in doing so, Karen and Penny im not sure that you really understand just how many lives Tom affected, there were many, some of them are having the same trouble i have had in signing Tom book, but im sure that they will. I remember playing baseball with Tom and if i was having a bad day, Tom was the first to come to me and put his hand on my on my back, and, tell me "it's all right we all have bad days, and when i look into his eyes, I knew that I would be ok. Tom touched alot of us that way he always had something to say that would make everything alright. Please take comfort in knowing that you not sharing Tom loss alone, for we all right beside you. May Peace be your Journey Howard

November 16, 2012

Crissey Nishimura

Tom it breaks my heart that you are gone! Thank you for always watching out for me. I'm forever grateful that we talked last month while you walked me to my car, always the gentleman! You will be so greatly missed ! Thanks also for the music and the dancing, our reunions will never be the same without you! Till we meet again meet again........

November 16, 2012

Nancy Imamura

Oh where do I begin... When I saw Tom for the 1st time since my college days I was estatic to see him. I thought he looked great! A flood of memories came back, like the times him and Mario would pick me up so we could go dancing at Lake Hills etc. They looked Fly like Superfly in their platforms, polyester and brims! LOL! Hanging out at Danny's uncle's Beacon Hill house that they all rented together. Tom turning on the music so we could dance, dance, dance. Dancing to AWB (one of his favorite bands) and let's not forget doing the Bump to Bertha Butt Boogie! Tom had a lot of soul and he could dance! He also had heart!

Danny thank you for bringing him back home where he belonged with his homies from Beacon Hill. It seemed like he was just starting to come out again these past few years so it was a shock to us all!

Dear Penny and Karen, My condolences to you and your loved ones. I just want to say he was very much loved by all of us. How could you not love the guy. He was so.. kind and thoughtful! Therefore I will always have a soft spot in my heart for my dear friend. Memories of him will always live on.

I heard a poem once which I think is fitting. "It's better to have love and lost than never to have lost at all."

We love you Tom. I hope you knew that. I hope you were happy because I speak for all of us who had the fortune to see you and hang with you again that we were so happy to have you back in our lives.

Rest In Peace my friend. Till we meet again.

November 15, 2012

Charlene Erickson

I am so sad to hear about Tom, I haven't connected with him for 20 some years, but I enjoyed are time together in our mid twenties, I spent a winter skiing with Tom and your family and as I was just learning, my ski partner was Karens daughter, many found memories up on the Pass, with Tom, and your family. My deepest sympathy to your family. Charlene

November 15, 2012

Linda Frangello Franco

Tom, Tom, Tom. Your smile, your red hair, your humor, your sports talent, your jokes. I will miss them all. I didn't see you that much after high school but the memories I have of high school are good. We reconnected at the CHS baseball reunion on May 19, 2012. It was great to see you and hope being with friends was a happy memory for you. We will miss you very much but know you are in Heaven entertaining those who went ahead of you, and jacking homeruns on that big baseball diamond in the sky. See you again when the time is right.

November 15, 2012

Keith Martin

Thomas Anderson was a gentle, unassuming, down-to-earth man who I was privileged to call friend. I first met Thomas at UPS in 1987. I was unfamiliar with Thomas' baseball prowess until about 5 year ago when we were just throwing around an old rubber ball. His arm seemed to effortlessly, almost slowly throw the ball in my direction. However once the ball left his hand it screamed like a shot. Almost instantly my gloved hand begin to burn, how could that ball travel so fast when he appeared to throw it so effortlessly? Wow at 50 + years of age he could still throw a screaming fast ball. I very subtly tried rub my stinging hand without acknowledging the pain. Thomas just smiled with that knowing smile and giggled to himself. Thomas you will be missed

November 15, 2012

Tim Imanaka

Though we ran in different social circles, Tom was always respectful (and that was hard for some at Cleveland) and friendly. I will remember him for those qualities...

Peaceful journeys, my friend.

November 14, 2012

Barb Wong

I remember Tom as being the most romantic guy in high school? Didn't he fly to France to see his then girl friend that was there for school? Who does that in high school? That was outrageous!

November 14, 2012

Felly Bergano

To his sisters Penny and Karen and family -

We're all a family from Beacon Hill, even if some of us moved away. Yet, there still remains a bond whether you were an Eagle, Quaker, Viking, or Bulldog or just in the Other category.

I'm thankful for Margaret's BBQ where I met Tom after @&# years and for Danny and Dottie serving in CHS Alumni Board along with other classmates getting everyone together at the Reunions.

He blessed us with keeping it real in playing the funk, showed his dancing feet, and above all was a true gentleman. I am so glad that I had a dance.

We are looking forward to meeting you at his Celebration of Life and sharing stories.

Remember, "Dance like nobody's watching!"

I pray that your loss will heal with wonderful memories in time.

Lifting you up in prayer. <3

November 14, 2012

Rich Tada

Tom, I'm going to miss watching you turn from mild mannered Thomas into Super DJ Tom. Keep the party going until we get there!

November 13, 2012

Danny Hagan

Posted by Danny Hagan

November 13, 2012

Danny Hagan

Posted by Danny Hagan

November 13, 2012

Danny Hagan Hagan

Posted by Danny Hagan Hagan

November 13, 2012

Danny Hagan

Posted by Danny Hagan

November 13, 2012

Jeff King

I had the pleaseure of knowing Tom since elementary school and renewing our acquaintances during the various class reunions.

November 13, 2012

Jim Ward

In losing another Eagle classmate, I'm remembering how Tom enjoyed all that is good in life and how he always presented himself in a way that deserved admiration, respect and love.

My wholehearted condolences to his family and close friends.

We'll miss you, big guy!

November 13, 2012

Hazel Chin-Fujino

Tom,
I'm glad I was able to see you recently and doing what you enjoy....DJ'ing and dancing! Tom, you were a true UPSer! 35 years and I truly wished that your retirement came sooner.
RIP Tom..

November 13, 2012

Jim Ward

In losing yet another Eagle classmate, I reflect on the memories I have of a man who always presented himself as a lover of all things good in life... in a manner deserving the love and respect of those around him.

My whole-hearted condolences to Tom's family and close friends.

We'll miss you, big guy!

November 13, 2012

Jim Emmi

I'm very grateful I got to meet Tom through our Cleveland reunions and spending time with him, he was really a nice person, he will be missed.

November 13, 2012

Terry Brosnahan

Always a pleasant person and so easy to be around. I have some good, fond memories that I am taking with me.

November 13, 2012

Suzy Tarp-Thomson

I'll miss the quick early morning conversations I had in the last 2 1/2 years with Thomas. We talked about music, house design, 70's clothing styles and traveling to name a few topics. We also talked about good ole times at UPS. Recently I told him I was jealous because he was retiring soon and I had a few years to go. He told me it will get here before I know it. It tears my heart he didn't get to retire since the same thing happened to my mom. He was looking forward to his new house and all the customizing he was doing to it. One last thought is that I have him to thank for talking me into getting a colonoscopy. It took me a over a year to get the courage and they removed a polyp. He was a good guy and he touched me so dearly. I know the UPS bunch will miss him. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

November 12, 2012

I am Thomas's sister Penny. Thank you for all of your beautiful memoiries and comments...they mean more than you will ever know. I only hope he knows how much he was loved. If he didn't ... he will now. We are planning a celabration of his life in the first few weeks of January in his new home, among friends, which is where he wanted to be. Please be patient and join us at that time. We will post the date and time as soon as we can. Penny

November 12, 2012

I am so grateful for the friends he reconnected with. I am his oldest sister Karen, I also went to Cleveland class of 68. I and my sister Penny (class of 69) are planning a celebration of Tom 's life, probably in January because his new house will be done and we know how much it would mean to him to have all of his friends see his reality. I was at the game you talked about Danny, and it was thrilling to watch!

November 12, 2012

lisa mar

It was wonderful to see Tom again after all these years. I'm so glad we had a chance to dance together one last time.
Tom, say hello to Kenford for me when you see him.

November 12, 2012

I'm glad I got a chance to know Tom through our reunions. Tom will surely be missed. The reunion won't be the same without our wonderful MC.
Kathy Okawa
(Lynnwood, WA)

November 12, 2012

Warren Higa

November 12, 2012

Gilbert Gardner

Tom.. I'm sure glad to known you and had alot of memories! You were a good man and a great leader. You're surely be missed. Thanks for being a friend and see you on the other side. Gil Gardner Cleveland H.S. 74

November 11, 2012

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Dottie Chin

OMG !!! Tom.. I remember the last conversation we had at Ginger's fundraiser. If only I knew how serious it was!! It breaks my heart to have learned you left before we had a chance to get together with everyone to celebrate your dreams in January you had planned. You will be missed tremendously and will always be in our hearts. And will remember your words.. "Funk Lives On"..

Posted by Dottie Chin

November 11, 2012

Lynn Evans

I am very thankful to have known Tom when we were at Cleveland High from Sep 1970 to Jun 1973. He loved to laugh and joke around with me.

November 11, 2012

Sandy Eberly

The 40th reunion partty in heaven will be that much funner with you there. But ours well be less.Tell all the others we'll see them some day.

November 11, 2012

Maggie (Brown) Inahara

So many wonderful memories of Tom. I met Tom in junior high and remember when he used to have trouble opening his locker and would say, "Oh, pshaw!" He remained a good friend through senior high, where he became so well known for his awesome dancing skills. I was so blessed to reconnect with him through the Cleveland High reunion activities. Tom, you were one of a kind, and will be sorely missed.

November 11, 2012

Danny Hagan

Tom - I can not believe you are gone - I had just seen you a while back and will miss you dearly. I was looking forward to celebrating our 40th reunion with you next September and know you were as well. To my former catcher at Cleveland High, my former room mate and dear friend - I will miss you always until we meet again.

My thoughts and prayers to his sister and the rest of the Anderson family and friends.


If anyone in Tom's family is reading this could you please contact me on 206-679-3486 or email at [email protected] - thank you


Danny Hagan

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