Thomas Walker

Thomas Walker “Tom the Bomb” passed away in his sleep, Dec. 14, 2008, in Sandpoint, Idaho, at the age of 94.

Funeral services will be held in Portland, Ore., at the Riverview Abbey Chapel on Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at 3 p.m. with a remembrance gathering immediately following at the Gateway Elks Lodge No. 2411.

Tommy was born on Aug. 13, 1914, in Portland, Ore., to Andrew M. Walker and Frances Elizabeth Nye Walker. He grew up in Portland, Ore., where he attended school, played hockey and baseball.

During the depression, Tommy joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, working to build roads in southern Oregon. He then went to work on the docks as a longshoreman.

During World War II, Tommy entered the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion.

He was part of the D-Day invasion force landing and fighting on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944. He fought during the Battle of the Bulge and throughout Germany until the end of the war. While in the Army he fought as a boxer.

After the war, Tommy returned to Portland and resumed his career as a longshoreman working as a walking boss until retiring in 1976. Tommy enjoyed attending the I.L.W.U. annual picnics at Oaks Park and Cullaby Lake.

Tommy married Audrey Belton in 1943. Audrey passed away in 1984. In 1986, he married Betty Jean Lawson Feyen.

Tommy was the “Pappy of Mushball,” playing mushball in Portland Leagues for many years. Playing into his 70s, he was a feared opponent when he was on the pitchers mound. Tommy enjoyed salmon and steelhead fishing.

He also enjoyed collecting coupons and shopping, trying to get the best bargains he could find.  He was a member of I.L.W.U. Local 92, Portland Elks No. 142, and Gateway Elks No. 2411.

In May 2008, Tommy moved with his wife Betty to Sandpoint to live with and be cared for by family. Tommy’s love, kindness, generosity, sense of humor and attitude towards life will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Jean Walker; stepsons, Douglas Saldivar, Rick Hamilton, Mark Hamilton, E. Hans Feyen III and Kurt Feyen; stepdaughter, Nila Hamilton; nephew, Thomas Walker; nieces, Valerie Duncan and Sally Champlin; and numerous grandchildren as well as numerous great-nephews and nieces.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Audrey; five brothers, George, Ted, Harry, Andrew and Edward Walker; one sister, Elizabeth Walker Johnson; and four nephews, Jerry Walker, Kyle Walker, Norman Walker and Robert Johnson.

At Tommy’s request, please direct remembrances and memorials to: I.L.W.U. Local 8, 2435 NW Front Avenue, Portland, Oregon, 97209.

Please visit Tommy’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com.