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BORN
1925
DIED
2010
Tom Rosser Obituary
Sept. 7, 1925-Dec. 23, 2010 Tom Rosser died Dec. 23 in Corvallis. He was 85 years old.
Tom Rosser was born in Macon, Mississippi, to Thomas A. and Gladys Anderson Rosser. He lived throughout the South during his childhood following his father's assignments in the Navy and Coast Guard. He then moved to Redondo Beach, California, at the age of 14 where he attended Redondo Beach High School. It was there he met Ann Van Nostrand in a U.S. history class whom he married in 1947.
Tom served in the U.S. Navy during WWII in the Pacific as a captain of a PT boat, and again in the Korean War as an executive officer on a LST. Upon returning to civilian life he attended UCLA majoring in history and receiving a master's degree in education. He began a 36-year career in education in 1949 at Oxnard High School in California as a U.S. history teacher. He later became vice principal at Camarillo High School, then principal at Thousand Oaks High School, and finally assistant superintendent of Oxnard Union High School District. He retired in 1985.
After retirement his activities included attending law school and coordinating a church-sponsored weekly food-share program for low-income families, which he continued for more than 15 years. Throughout his life he enjoyed whittling, camping, and traveling.
He especially enjoyed the ocean. As a teenager he surfed in Southern California, and as an adult he sailed throughout the Channel Islands and snorkeled in Hawaii. He built boats, surfboards, and also a prototype wind surfboard. He moved to Corvallis, Oregon, in January 2007, and attended The Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan.
Tom was preceded in death by his sister, Marion Rosser Judson. He is survived by his wife Ann Rosser of Corvallis; his son, Tom Rosser of Kaneohe, Hawaii; and daughters Rebecca Rosser-Curtis of Madras, Oregon, and Dorry Eldon of Corvallis. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Kahea Paaaina, Tomas Rosser, Kupe Rosser, Eric Eldon, Jon Eldon, Annie Eldon; and great-grandchildren, Hinearoha, Toa-Ruawharo, Wiruemu, and Nukutai Paaaina.
A memorial service will be held on December 27 at 2 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan. His ashes will later be interred at the columbarium at St. Columba's Episcopal Church in Camarillo, California.
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Memories and Condolences
for Tom Rosser
Peggy Kenney
January 9, 2011
Dear Ann, Dorry, and families, I was saddened to hear of Tom's passing. He was a man of God, so I know he is home now, but he will be greatly missed. He touched countless lives with his warmth, grace, caring, compassion, and integrity. He was a true gentleman. From the moment Dorry befriended me and brought me home to meet you, Tom and you showed me the love of God in action by welcoming me into your home, sponsoring my Cursillo,and uplifting me though a period of loss in my life.
I will be lifting you up in prayer now and in the months to come. Love to you,
Linda Valdez
January 4, 2011
To Mr. Rosser's family, My sincerest condolences to you all. Mr. Rosser was a wonderful human being, a great administrator, and mentor to so many educators throughout Ventura County. I had the opportunity to appreciate his work at the district office and as he returned to teach at Adolfo Camarillo High School. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
January 3, 2011
Dear Ann and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you with the loss of Tom. He was a good friend, a straightforward, compassionate teacher and administrator who loved kids. I first worked with Tom at ACHS in the early '60's and we were good friends throughout our careers in the OUHD. We will miss him. Our very best to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Don and Agatha Miller
Donna Maygren
January 3, 2011
Tom Rosser was a gentle, kind and wonderful man who made such a positive difference in the lives of those with whom he associated. It was a privilege to know him and share the respect that so many others shared as well. As a high school teacher, it was a privilege to have Dorry as a student at ACHS. It was so easy to see that she had the same kind and gentle ways of her parents...it was a delightful experience to have Dorry in class. What a blessed life he lived and may you cherish those memories of such a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, friend and absolutely wonderful human being who taught us all so much.
January 2, 2011
Aside from Mr. Rosser being a fantastic teacher, he was a good person and shown his students, by example, how decency and honesty built character. I've never forgotten him. Joyce Ranney Walker OUHS'56
Helen Andrews
January 2, 2011
Dear Ann:
I miss you here in Camarillo. I worked with Tom at ACHS and Ann you did my taxes. We were also connected with 4H. My prayers are with you and family. God Bless.
Joanne Black Davidson
January 2, 2011
I had the pleasure of working with Tom at OUHS district office. He was always helpful and kind. He was the go to guy when one needed extra help. Later when he returned to the classroom, my son was in his history class and thought he was a great teacher. He was a good man and he will be missed.
Roz McGrath
January 1, 2011
Ann, I am thinking of you and wishing I could see you. I am so sorry to hear about Tom's passing. You both were so wonderful to me during those grueling campaigns in 1998 and 2000. Please know that you are in my prayers. With much love, Roz McGrath
Dave Mollan
January 1, 2011
To the family. I had the pleasure of working with Tom in negotiating the first collective bargining agreement for the Oxnard Union High School District. Tom and I were on opposite sides of the table but he made it easy to resolve conflicts because of his integrity and straight-shooting style. My condolences.
Dave Mollan, ex-president Oxnard Federation of Teachers
Jeannette Jennett
January 1, 2011
Ann, you and Tom have been so missed in Camarillo. My deepest sympathy to you and your family for the loss of this wonderful man. He will always be remembered for his intelligence, integrity and compassion.
Jeannette Jennett
Gary Smith
January 1, 2011
My condolences to the family. I knew Mr. Rosser from Dorry. He always had a warm welcome for visitors to his home. RIP sir.
Jim Wright
January 1, 2011
Becky and Dory so sorry for your loss wishing you the best
December 31, 2010
Mr. Rosser was my high school principal. He was a wonderful man who always had time for us kids. I hope your loving memories will sustain you.
Cathy Armstrong
Don & Millie Seidler
December 31, 2010
We'll miss him. Love, Don and Millie Seidler. A donation has been made to the City of Hope in his honor.
December 31, 2010
Tom was my high school teacher, my mentor, my Principal when I was a teacher, my fellow Pleasant Valley Mutual Water Board member and my friend. He was always a leader in all of these capacities. Raelene and I send our love to Ann and the family. Bill Manzer
Ann Featherston
December 31, 2010
I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Tom at Camarillo High as a first-year teacher, where his strong discipline skills were so helpful to me; again at TO where I had the privilege to work with a great principal, and again when he gave me the opportunity to teach at RMHS. Through all these years, I admired Tom as a wonderful role model, and valued him as a long-time friend. Please accept Jim's and my condolences, Ann. You are in our prayers.
Bob Hendricks
December 31, 2010
Tom was my little league baseball coach and Vice Principal/athletic director while I was in High school. He interviewed me for my teaching job.As you can see our paths crossed quite often. Mr Rosser always treated me fairly. He will be missed.
Marlene McDonald
December 31, 2010
Dearest Ann, I was so shocked and saddened to learn of your dear Tom's passing. I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. I always regard you as "very SPECIAL" and your Tom was also. May God Bless You.
Shlomo & Charlotte Kreitzer
December 31, 2010
We remember with warmth, the image of Tommy graciously greeting us in your home and lovingly preparing food for you while you worked with us.
Thank you for the obituary: what a life he (and you) had!
Married 63 years -- a lifetime you guys had. The better it is, the harder it is!
Now, no matter all that you had, or the conditions of his dying, it's unbelievably hard: an unfathomable loss.
We wish you strength and the support of friends and family during this time.
It's never easy.
Brian Judson
December 31, 2010
My Uncle Tom (I am Marian's Son) was always a warm, solid and positive influence in my life. We all loved him, we will all miss him.
December 31, 2010
Ann and Family,
I had the pleasure to work with Tom as a new teacher at TOHS and still marvel at his ability to led with firmness and compassion. He was a major influence in my teaching career and will be missed as a mentor and a friend. Bill Berg
December 31, 2010
Ann, I'm so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. I so enjoyed the book discussions we used to have in your home. You will be in my prayers.
Elaine Dierberger, Grass Valley, CA
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