Thomas-Tepper-Obituary

Thomas J. Tepper

Obituary

Tepper Thomas J. Tepper, 60, had a heart attack and passed into the presence of his Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, on March 2, 2003. Tom's beloved wife, Doreen, was by his side at their home in Sun City, AZ. He is survived by two sons, John, Mark; three brothers, Robert & Donald of Minneapolis, and David from Bloomington MN. He was preceeded in death by his parents, Russell and Muriel. Tom is from Bloomington, MN and retired to spend winters in Sun City, AZ in 1995. He had worked 23 years for Kraft Foods, and had managed United Officials Association, which trained and provided officials for many varied sports. He was a member of Calvary Evangelical Free Church in Walker, MN, and attended Grace Church in Eden Prairie, MN, and Grace Bible Church in Sun City, AZ. Tom had many gifts including the gift of love. He always had a smile and extended a helping hand to others. He reflected Christ's love in all that he did in his five short years as a child of God. He was a loving, compatible husband, father, brother and friend. By request of the family, donations may be made to the family & will be shared with Gildien's Society and Our Father's House. Memorial will be Thursday, March 13, 1:30 pm at Grace Church in Eden Prairie at 9301 Eden Prairie Road.
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.

Guest Book

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Hello Doreen / We may have met after you and Tom were just married but my memory is a little fuzzy. Tom and I spend many summer days in the late 50's playing 1 on 1 basketball in the alley behind our homes on Park Ave. Tom was a close friend (although I was at De La Salle) and I loved him very much. I just thought of him today and went online to find you. I did not know his family or the friends that you both had as adults. I was surprised and pleased to find his guest book still open. It was...

Please accept our heartfelt sympathies and best wishes during this difficult time. Tom's loss is a big one. Those of us who knew Tom in grade school recall him always laughing -- and making us laugh, too. We cherish the gift of humor that Tom bestowed so generously, and felt lucky to have known him.

Dear Doreen,
It was with a sad heart that I heard of Tom's death just hours after the end of the 2003 Girls' State Basketball Tournament. Many of the officials who got their start with Tom and you (myself included) had worked the tournament. After our initial shock and sadness, the group started sharing "Tepp" stories. We laughed through our tears as we remembered our mentor and friend and how he had touched our lives. Our prayers and thoughts go out to you and your...

Tom Tepper will be missed greatly by myself and many other individuals. He had a passion and exuberance for life that will not be equaled. He was loved and respected by all those who knew him. He excelled at everything he did, be it in family,officiating, sales,recreation,or friendship. He touched the lives of all the people who knew him in a manner that was unique to Tom. My life, as well as those who knew him, will be forever enriched by knowing this wonderful man. He is in Heaven now...

Dear Doreen,
I was very suprised and saddened to hear of Tom's death. He was such a joy to our family and the church. God now has the joy of having him in his house and Heavens golf course. I so much enjoyed going to Real Estate school with him and sharing a calculator with him. His joy for the Lord and warm heart will always be remembered by our family.

Mark - Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Remember all beginnings are scary, and all endings are sad, but it is what happens in the middle that matters the most. May your memories help you through this sad time. Mary, Curt and Fende

I'll always remember the visit with "Tommy" and Jimmy" Schwartz in March 02. Our gang from St Joan of Arc grade school was really special because of peopel like Tom. Your "old" classmates are thinking of you and your family.

Doreen, my deepest sympathy and prayers go out to you during this time of sorrow for you and your family. May you always remember the good times. Mary Jane

Tom: We will never forget your smiling face and the way you treated everyone you knew like they were special. Sorry you missed our reunion last summer. We will see you on the other side.