Thomas A. Gielow

1942 - 2017

June 25, 1942 - October 21, 2017 Thomas Arthur "Tom" Gielow, 75, was born in Oakland, CA. Tom grew up in Alameda, CA where he graduated from Alameda High School. Tom was the middle child of the late Richard and Alpha Gielow. Tom joined the U.S. Army after graduation. His service included 13 months in Korea. His skills in electronics and the GI Bill lead him to UC Berkeley where he earned his BS in Electrical Engineering. From the University Tom and his wife Judith moved to Costa Mesa to begin his career in computer systems design at Collins Radio in Newport Beach. Tom preferred small computers so changed his employment, to a small company until being taken over by the parent company SHARP Industries of Japan. Tom had a few patents. His work in electro-illuminessence was sold to a then unknown company called Nintendo which used the engineering to make a little hand held, version of Pong. When the buyers liked the effect, Tom suggested colorizing the games, because he knew color would be easy to do. Tom retired in 2000, but a friend in New York wanted a small camera. So Tom took to the garage, and with the help of son Ted and some former co-workers, Tom created a small camera which Ted programed and the man in New York gave to a fellow making a film and the camera filmed "Slumdog Millionaire". Ted died in February 2009 just missing the Oscars. With the death of his son and "the company" having outgrown the garage, Tom retired again. Another side of Tom's life was his 48 years of church life at St. Mark Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) where Tom has served as both elder and deacon, and for 45 years Tom served as a representative to the Association of Presbyterian Members of Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian. Trips to the Oljato Presbyterian Church in Monument Valley over the last 21 years to assist with their Summer Vacation Bible School cannot be forgotten. Tom has been a registered Boy Scouter since his oldest son was a Cub Scout. After his youngest son earned the rank of Eagle Scout, from the same Troop as his two older brothers did before him, Tom continued supporting the Boy Scouts of America through the YSA, the Youth Services Association of OC, and has been that Chartered Organization Representative to Boy Scout Troop 106, Pack 10, Pack 108 and Pack 301. Tom received Boy Scouting's Silver Beaver Award in 2002. Out of a Scout uniform he dons his blue jersey of the Costa Mesa/Harbor Area Breakfast Lions Club. Tom is survived by his wife of over 51 years, Judith, older brother Kenneth and younger sister Carol, two of his sons - the youngest Tony and the oldest, Timothy, his wife CynThia and two grandchildren; and also by several cousins, nieces and nephews who do not reside in this area. Tom was pre-deceased by his middle son, Theodore A. Gielow. Tom's memorial/celebration of life service will be held at St. Mark Church, 2200 San Joaquin Hills Road, Newport Beach, 92660, on November 18, 2017 at 2 P.M. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the YSA, a 501(c)(3) (send to 469 E. 18th Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92627) working in support of Costa Mesa youth, or to the St. Mark Church Rev. Bob & LaRae Parry Environmental Scholarship Fund care of St. Mark Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).