COLOMBE, Thomas (Tom) G.

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 08/12/2014 Thomas G. Colombe, 89, died quietly Aug. 6, 2014, at a Lakeside resident facility. He was born Sept. 19, 1924, in Eau Claire, Wis. After high school Tom joined the U.S. Navy along with his brother John, serving in World War II on Guam. In January 1945, Tom married his high school sweetheart, Beverly J. Lange. In November 1946, their only daughter Charlien Kay (Jeffery Baker) was born. Tom learned the printing trade while in the Navy and was employed by Eau Claire Book and Stationery and Graphic Printing Co. In 1969 Tom and Bev ventured to purchase a supper club in Cornell, Wis. They enjoyed their business and meeting many new lifelong friends. In 1980, because of Bev’s health difficulties, they sold the supper club and moved to Apache Junction at Gold Canyon RV. Bev passed away from complications of arthritis and COPD in June 1990 when they returned home to Wisconsin to enjoy their summer home on Lake Holcombe. Tom and Bev enjoyed many hobbies together including golf, hiking, fishing, woodworking and always being with friends. Tom returned to Gold Canyon to live full time. Here he met his companion, Fran Zahn, of nearly 15 years until her passing in 2011. During this time Tom rangered at two golf courses in Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. In September 2011, Tom moved to Lakeside and resided at Solterra Senior Living Apartments. In May 2014, he sustained a hip fracture. Along with his Parkinson’s disease progression, it was necessary for him to reside in a rehabilitation center until his passing. Tom was preceded in death by his very close and dear brother, John, as well as Bev and Fran. Tom is survived by older sister Beverly Klose of Seattle Wash.; younger brother Bill (Doris) of Kenosha Wis. and sister Arlene Peterson of Madison, Wis.; along with many nieces and nephews; Char (Jeff) of Pinedale (since 2002); two grandchildren, Ali Kay Fentress (Rodney) of Virginia Beach, Va., and Jamison Baker (KaBao) of Eau Claire, Wis.; five great-grandsons, Charles and Dylan Curtis and Austin, Jacob and Trenton Baker. At Tom’s request, there will be no services. Personal thoughts and memories are appreciated. A tribute e-card donation for Parkinson’s research may be sent to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research. All information is available online.