BOMBER MEMORIAL

THOMAS RAYMOND "TOM" FOOTE ~ Class of 1966 Honorary
April 28, 1948 - July 2, 2001

~

Thomas Raymond Foote, a 32-year resident in the Ellensburg community, died Monday, July 2, 2001, in a farm accident at the age of 53.

Tom was born in Seattle on April 28, 1948 to Bill and Valerie Foote. He attended Jefferson Elementary School, Chief Jo Junior High School and was an honorary member of the Class of 1966 at Richland's Columbia High School. He graduated from high school in Absarokee, MT in 1966.

He attended the University of Colorado before enlisting in the Army and serving in Vietnam from 1968-1969.

Tom entered Central Washington University where he earned his BS and Master's degrees in Psychology.

Tom was employed as a Psychologist at the Yakima Valley School in Selah where he developed a truly unique approach to meeting the emotional needs of the 100 developmentally disabled people who lived in the community. He supported and educated the people who surrounded them so that the developmentally disabled would be assured that they would be treated with compassion, dignity and respect. He deeply cared about the individual person and touched the lives of all those he came in contact with both at work and in the community.

He met and married the love of his life, Nanci, while in college and together they built a small farm on Wilson Creek Road where they raised four children, many animals and lush gardens. They shared their love of reading, art, teaching, bird watching, Pug dogs and many outdoor activities.

Tom pursued many physical hobbies. He loved mountain biking with his son and his brother, as well as weight lifting. He was a scholar who loved poetry, philosophy and writing. He was a published author and illustrator and also contributed his talent in the capacity of editor. He was a gifted artist and expressed himself in many mediums. His passion was sculpting, and he and his wife (Nanci) were actively developing several Western Art pieces for showing.

Tom is survived by his wife, Nanci; son, Dustin Thomas Foote of Ellensburg; stepdaughters: Kristi Carrick, Karin O'Loughlin and Kathleen Kramer all of Portland; as well as five grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Harlan Foote of Richland; an uncle, Raymond Cook in Absarokee, MT; as well as his two Pugs, Lupi and Cookie. He was preceded in death by his parents and two uncles.

Tom was a beloved husband, father and friend and will be missed.

A memorial service to celebrate his life was at 11am on Saturday, July 14, 2001, at the American Legion; 1101 Craig Street in Ellensburg. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Vietnam Veterans Outreach in care of Vietnam Veterans Chapter #514; P.O. Box 1435; Ellensburg, WA 98926.

Published in the Tri-City Herald on July 10, 2001.

Bomber Memorial put together by Shirley COLLINGS Haskins ('66).