Thomas Dale Reader

Thomas Dale Reader

Dec. 7, 1937 - Nov. 1, 2014

Tom Reader of Monroe passed away Nov. 1 at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis, due to complications of heart surgery and diabetes. He was 76.

Tom was a straightshooter; a funny, caring father, grandfather, husband, companion and friend who was loved dearly and will be missed like crazy.

He worked hard and passed that ethic to his three children. Tom was a mechanic, a real estate salesman and a service-station owner. He ran an auto-body shop, and served as a volunteer firefighter.

His No. 1 job was taking care of his family and creating good times and memories we still cherish. He taught us to love the outdoors. There were camping trips with friends along the Alsea River, and weekends spent on the Oregon Coast, where we learned to catch crab and treat sunburns.

Tom led weekend hikes every fall through beautiful forests, though he wouldn't have called it hiking - in his version you packed a rifle and shot anything with antlers. There were family trips to Reno, where we played in the snow in winter and hung out at the pool in summer. We learned to play Keno, how long a couple rolls of quarters would last at an arcade in Sparks, and to always split aces and eights.

Tom was lucky in love, married to Sandy (Christiance) for 50 great years before her death in 2005. Tom and Sandy were a true team, working and playing together, raising a family, hosting friends for fondue parties and taking time for themselves when they could, often at the Moose Lodge in Corvallis.

Tom had the great fortune of spending the last eight years of his life with his wonderful companion, Marilyn Lynn. Tom and Marilyn spent seven winters in Yuma, Arizona, where Marilyn taught him to play shuffleboard and once, according to legend, convinced him to wear shorts.

Tom is survived by brother Don (Sharon) of Waldport; sister Lois Jean Walden of Corvallis; sister-in-law Nancy Reader of Corvallis; daughter Trudy (Brad Adams) of Tualatin; sons Bill (Kim Eckart) of Lake Forest Park, Washington, and Bob of Coos Bay; beloved granddaughters Kimberley Adams, Presley Adams and Kate Reader; nephews; nieces; members of the Christiance family; and Marilyn and the rest of the Lynn family.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife Sandy; parents Chet and Leora; brother Jerry; and brother-in-law Bud Walden.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Nov. 15 at Bellfountain Church, followed by a potluck. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in his name to the Monroe Fire Department (monroefiredept.org).