Thomas J. Rasdale

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University of Michigan

Thomas Rasdale Obituary

Thomas J. Rasdale DeWitt Thomas J. Rasdale, 55, went to be with his Heavenly Father, Monday, August 17, 2009 after a long and difficult 5½year battle with cancer. He was born November 6, 1953 in St. Johns, MI the son of Charles and Joan (Wilcox) Rasdale. Tom graduated from St. Johns High School with the Class of 1971 and attended The University of Michigan where he was a manager of the Wolverine Football team under Coach Bo Schembechler. He graduated from the U of M in December 1974 and continued his education by earning a Law Degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing in May of 1978. Tom was employed with the State of Michigan for 24 years as an attorney with The State Court of Appeals after working six years as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Bay City, MI. Tom was obsessed with golfing and when he enjoyed better health, was and avid runner, competing in and completing full marathons. He loved watching sports of all kinds either in person or on television and was a huge supporter of the DeWitt Panthers. Tom married Becky Whittaker in Cass City, MI in 1988 and she survives him. Also surviving are two daughters, Andrea Ruth and Megan Elizabeth; his parents, Charles and Joan Rasdale of St. Johns; three brothers, Ed (Diana) and Bob (Sandy) of St. Johns, Mike (Rhea) of Higgins Lake; two sisters, Ruth Ann Rasdale and Mary Ann (Larry) Blossom all of Ovid; parents-in-law, Gerald and Ruth Whittaker of Cass City; sisters-in-law, Ann (David) Borger of West Lake Village, CA and Colleen Whittaker of Traverse City; brother-in-law, David Whittaker of Cass City; as well as many nieces and nephews and friends at Redeemer United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 20, 2009 at Redeemer United Methodist Church 13980 Schavey Rd. DeWitt with Pastor Rodney Kalajainen officiating. It was Tom's wish to be cremated and his ashes scattered at a later date. The family will receive relatives and friends 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday and one hour prior to service at Redeemer United Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to an educational trust fund for Tom's daughters at Fifth Third Bank of DeWitt 13007 S. US 27 DeWitt, MI 48820. Arrangements and services provided by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns 989-224-4422.

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Published by Lansing State Journal on Aug. 18, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Rasdale

11 Entries

Yolanda Flores

August 22, 2009

Becky,
I am sorry to hear of Tom's passing. I pray that you and your girls will always treasure your memories of Tom and that they will bring you comfort and peace. Take care. ~ Yo

Jim Brunson

August 19, 2009

To the Tom Rasdale family: I worked with Tom in the Prosecutor's office. We all worked very hard. Those were good years. Tom was a pleasure. He always kept his shoulder to the wheel at work, but if you sat next to him at a Tiger game, you soon learned that he was much more knowledgeable than the casual fan about baseball, and other major sports. I am so sorry that he is gone. His large family can be justifiably proud of the life he lived.

gloria Waggoner-Dunkel

August 18, 2009

The Family of Tom, You had a very special person in your life,Tom will forever remain there with all your loving memories.I had the great pleasure of attending school with Tom,he was a very caring and compassionate person with a great care for others.

Deb Austin

August 18, 2009

Becky, Andrea and Megan,

I am so sorry to hear of Tom's death. Please know you and the girls are in my thoughts and prayers. Just remember that memories are a gift from God that death cannot erase.
Love you, Deb

August 18, 2009

To Tom's Family: While a fact of life, death has a way of reminding us to worry about that which is of the utmost importance....love and faith, family, and friends. When Tom began his work with us at the Court of Appeals, I thought him endearing, honest and friendly. Those thoughts were proven out as the years passed. He never, and I mean never, would turn you away if you had a problem, just needed to vent or simply take a break in your day to shoot the breeze. I can remember on numerous occasions Tom would talk about his "Becky" and then when the girls came - well you get the picture. He was available to not only members of the Bar, but citizens who were trying to appeal on their own, confused and worried...he was there for them. Tom possessed a moral compass that in today's world is rare. A compassionate man, Tom was indeed rare in a world where we fight to get nowhere in a hurry. I will miss this tender heart and what he meant to so many. Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, but about learning how to dance in the rain.
Charmaine Loudenslager Johnson

Cassandra Jackway

August 18, 2009

Becky, Andrea and Megan, our thoughts and prayers are with you. You were blessed to have such a man in your lives. He was a standup man, a supportive husband and a wonderful father. I hope that memory lives with you always. He will always be remembered as part of our Girl Scout family. Love Cassandra, Randy and Kala Jackway.

Noreen Slank

August 18, 2009

I only knew Tom through his work for the Court of Appeals. He was always knowledgeable and generous with his time. He went out of his way to give us solid, reliable information on his Court. Tom was a real pro and just such a good guy. My condolences for your family's loss.

August 18, 2009

Becky, girls, Joan, Charlie and family,
Our hearts go out to you at this time. Tom has left all of us a legacy of courage, perservance and the will to live each day to the fullest. Keeping you in our daily thoughts and prayers. Janet and Harold Smalldon

SUSAN GLAZA

August 18, 2009

Becky, Andrea and Megan--I am truly saddened by Tom's death. He was always upbeat and had a great outlook on life even though he was suffering. I know he is in a better place and that you will find the strength to go forward with your lives. Tom and I became friends immediately when he begain working in the Bay County Prosecutor's Office. I will never forget all the good times and laughs that we shared. Our group was very special and friendships made at that time have lasted over the years. I will miss him.

August 18, 2009

Becky I am so sorry to hear about Tom. I worked with Tom for more than ten years and enjoyed working with him. He fought a long fight. If there is anything I can do for you and the girls, please let me know.My thoughts & prayers are with all three of you. Again, if there is anything you need, please let me know. I am sorry that I will be not be at the funeral. My husband has a ct and other tests set for the same time and these cannot be changed. Sincerely Bobbie Dembowski

August 18, 2009

Becky, Megan and Andrea,
you are in our thoughts and prayers as you go through this tough time. Please know that we are here. Tom was a wonderful person and has left us all with great memories. Love, Jack, Renee, Courtney and Sierra Hanneman

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