Thomas "Tom" Frederick Muller

1959 - 2025

Thomas "Tom" Frederick Muller, beloved father, son, and friend, passed away on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at the age of 65, while waterskiing at his club near Modesto, California-doing what he loved most. His final moments were spent in joy, in the place where he had built deep friendships and countless memories with his cherished son, Matthew.
Tom was born on September 23, 1959, in Oakland, California, to Carol Muller and Phil Muller. A fifth-generation Californian, he proudly carried forward the legacy of his pioneering ancestors, descendants of the California Gold Rush era. He grew up in Lodi with his sister, Linda Muller, surrounded by a family that valued hard work, integrity, and togetherness. In his youth, Tom was a proud member of the Boy Scouts of America, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout-a reflection of his dedication, perseverance, and leadership from an early age.
An accomplished athlete, Tom played on the tennis team at Lodi High School and at Sacramento State University, where he earned his degree in Business in 1983. His love for tennis never waned; he was an active member of the Lodi tennis community and, in recent years, a member of Woodbridge Country Club, staying close to a community of friends who shared his passion for the game.
Tom began his career with First Interstate Bank before joining his father at Muller Supply Company, which specialized in manufacturing interlocking concrete paving stones. Building on this experience, he later founded his own paving stone contracting business, California Classic Paver Designs, Inc., receiving his contractor's license on January 29, 1987. Serving residential and multifamily projects throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, Tom took pride in the craftsmanship, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication that defined his work in the industry.
Tom's life was most profoundly shaped by his relationship with his son, Matthew Muller, of Sacramento. He shared with Matthew his deep passion for tennis, snow skiing, and waterskiing, teaching him all from a young age. In 2001, Tom became a member of a private waterski club near Modesto, where he and Matthew spent many summer weekends together. Their time there became a foundation for their close relationship and provided Tom with a cherished circle of lifelong friends. He also competed in amateur waterski tournaments, celebrating the sport both recreationally and competitively.
Whether on the water, the tennis court, or surrounded by loved ones, Tom brought warmth, energy, and generosity to every part of his life. He lived with intention and joy, always quick to smile, to encourage, and to connect.
Tom is survived by his son, Matthew Muller; his mother, Carol Muller; his sister, Linda Muller; and his niece, Bernadette Daroux. He will also be deeply missed by extended family and many close friends whose lives he touched through kindness, loyalty, and fun-loving spirit. He was preceded in death by his father, Philip Hugo Muller.
A celebration of Tom's life will be held at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Lodi on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 11:00 AM, with a luncheon reception to follow at 12:30 PM at the Woodbridge Country Club in Woodbridge, CA.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the USTA Foundation (ustafoundation.com/donate), which helps provide youth access to tennis and education through programs nationwide, or to the American Water Ski Association's Junior Development Program, which introduces young people to waterskiing through clinics and events.