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Thomas Walter Graber
Thomas Walter Graber
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Thomas Graber Obituary
November 18, 1965 - February 19, 2025
Thomas Walter Graber, age 59, passed away on February 19, 2025 in Murfreesboro, TN. Tom was born on November 18, 1965 in Anaheim, CA to Thomas Jude Graber and Marjorie Priscilla (Hussey) Graber. Tom is survived by his wife of 27 years, Julie Ann (Deischel) Graber, whom he met in Monterey, CA. Tom and Julie relocated several times so that Tom could guide organizations with his innovative IT solutions and digital marketing concepts decades before those business models were commercialized. The couple settled in Murfreesboro and fell in love with its Southern charm and hospitality.
Tom was adored by his siblings Joyce Lois (Bott) Bills, Kenneth Robert Bott, Agnes Cecilia (Graber) Partington, and John Patrick Graber. Tom is credited as being the glue that held the family together after both parents had passed away and COVID restricted their ability to take family vacations together. He created group chats to share his daily memes, jokes, and inspirational thoughts, in an effort to bring happiness to everyone in his universe. Tom was beloved by his large extended family, his expansive group of colleagues, lifelong friends, and his fantasy football league brothers led by his best buddy of 50 years, Scott Austin. Tom was a gifted student and athlete who graduated from Chaminade College Preparatory and went on to earn his BA in Communication from California State University Northridge. Tom was a self-taught musician who was incredibly smart, wildly creative, funny, generous, kind, considerate, a skilled storyteller, and a consummate entertainer. Tom was a champion, mentor, and role model to countless people, none more important than his 18 nieces and nephews to which he was fun-Uncle "Funcle Tom".
Tom's legacy is the optimism, compassion, and humor that he modeled every day of his much-too-short life. In his memory, please Be Like Tom: Love your family, cherish your friends, be an eager learner, guide the next generation without judgement, be kind to one another, and make someone smile. RIP Tommy. We love you.
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T. Elliott
July 9, 2025
Sending love and light, Tommy. Bless your soul...
Marc Alexander
June 16, 2025
Tommy, memories of the fun we had at TGIF so many years ago have kept me laughing all these years. I just quoted you the other day (with credit of course) with one of the funniest comments ever. Out of the blue, late 80s, to turned to your teammates at TGIF and said, "My dad hasn´t been the same since they switched Darrins on him." We laughed then. We cry now. And we´ll always remember you with love and laughter. Rest in that laughter now, old friend. Condolences to your beloved wife and family.
Mike Valenziano
June 15, 2025
You will be missed my friend. Your enthusiasm and all around great attitude towards life is to be admired. My condolences to your wife and family. Our 40 plus years of friendship has meant a great deal to me and the TGIF family. God bless you and yours.
Mike Valenziano
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Elizabeth Mahurin
April 6, 2025
Tom I knew you when we were kids. I thought you were really a sweet guy. My prayers go out to your family. RIP
Laurie Hussey
March 30, 2025
I´m sorry I didn´t get to know you better my cousin. . May you rest in peace.
Sabrina Baez
March 27, 2025
I met Tom through another talent community member and knew right away he was going to be a force. I was honestly feeling some imposter syndrome and overall a bit down on myself at the time and Tom said the kindest things to me in that call about what we were trying to build in our talent community and about how I was expressing it in general. I literally got off that call and told my husband that those validating statements literally turned around my whole month. Tom was awesome and will be so so missed in this community. He made a real impact on me and I´ll remember that forever.
Rowena Tsang
March 27, 2025
I am shocked and saddened to hear Tom´s passing today. I will cherish the memories, and the valuable recruiting skills Tom shared with me at Walmart. Tom had an incredible ability to uplift those around him - always offering support, wisdom, and encouragement.
My thoughts and prayers are with Tom´s family and friends. Rest in peace, Tom.
Thao
March 27, 2025
I was so lucky to get to work with Tom at Walmart and he was always so caring and undoubtedly the funniest person there.
I had so many amazing memories of him that I can´t choose one. His one liners will always stick with me.
"I have socks older than you"
"Let´s go meat sweats"
"Wonder twins"
May you rest in peace Tom and thank you for making such an impact in our world.
MK
March 27, 2025
Today I learned of Tommy's passing. This was the funniest, most genuine human I have ever met. Tommy would want us all to be eating Chinese food tonight and laughing about one of his epic stories, such as the cleaning fee expense report.
He taught so many lessons in life and many of those I have passed down to my children. He was an inspiration and will continue to be an inspiration.
Love ya Tommy G!
Rob Mooney
March 27, 2025
I´m shocked and saddened to hear this news. Tommy and I have been in regular contact talking about careers, market trends and job searches for many years. Tommy was a fantastic Recruiter and an even better person. You are already sorely missed my friend. RIP brother!! Bless your family
Ed boyes
March 27, 2025
I will miss you Tom! U were the best part of my Walmart team! You made great things happen and was so proud to say I hired that guy. Just a great HUMAN! My love to his family right now.
Ed Boyes
Julie O´Laco Marsh
March 23, 2025
This is such a huge loss. Tom was such a good friend to me throughout high school and throughout life. He had an amazing mind and was one of the funniest people I´ve ever known. My heart goes out to all of his family and friends.
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