Thomas Lewis Gilmore
Port Hadlock, Wash.
July 10, 1936 – Apr. 9, 2017
Thomas Lewis Gilmore, a long-time resident of Jefferson County, passed away at his home in Port Hadlock, WA, April 9, 2017. He leaves behind the love of his life, his wife of 39 years, Leona (Lee).
Born in Tacoma, Washington, Tom grew up in Fife where he was active in high school sports excelling in basketball and baseball. Joining the U. S Navy in 1956 he served aboard the USS Ticonderoga aircraft carrier until 1960. One of his favorite places to reminisce about was Guam, and for those who knew him well we will always smile as we remember, “Guam was Good!”
Tom’s career kept him outdoors most of his life, beginning with landscaping in the Tacoma/Seattle area, then working for the Port of Seattle. He went to work for the U.S. Forest Service in 1970 working in Klamath Falls, Oregon. He would complete his career in Quilcene, retiring in 1991.
Shortly after Tom and his young son Danny moved to Quilcene in 1976, Tom would meet Lee Clark; they married in 1978.
Throughout his years, Tom enjoyed playing shuffleboard, pool, bowling, and ping pong where he was difficult to beat; he also enjoyed golf but would be the first to admit how it always kept him frustrated. He loved fishing, clam digging, crabbing and shrimping. Gardening was a life-long passion and it was amongst his roses that he passed away from a cardiac arrest.
Tom is survived by his wife Lee of the family home; son Dan Gilmore of San Pedro, Calif.; two step-daughters: Claudia Black-Fahey of Bainbridge Island, Wash. and Jana Kay (Jim Giger) of Sun City West, Ariz.; brother Larry Gilmore, sister Charlotte ( Bob ) Jennings and sister-in-law Shirley Wood; many nieces and nephews; grandchildren Kathleen Laughman (Brad Elkins), and Sean Laughman; and one great-grandchild Blake Lee Elkin who lit up his life each time she visited. He was preceded in death by his parents, Erbin and Norma Gilmore, his brother Dave (Gilmore) Wood and son-in law Jack Fahey.
Known for his wit, as we reminisce Tom’s laughter will be remembered by his family and friends throughout the Northwest.
Per his request, there will be no services. Condolences may be made to his wife, Lee Gilmore, P.O. Box 427, Port Hadlock, WA 98339.
