Thomas Gaetje

Thomas S. Gaetje MORGANTON Mr. Thomas Stephen Gaetje, 69, of Morganton, died Monday, Dec. 10, 2012, at Burke Hospice and Palliative Care Center, Valdese, after several months of declining health. Mr. Gaetje was born May 22, 1943, in Newark, N.J., a son of the late Frank and Ann Karby Gaetje. Thomas was a graduate of Wake Forest University and played football as a proud Demon Deacon. His working career included trust officer for a bank, Hospital Administrator, and teaching at the Summit Christian School in West Palm Beach, Fla. He served his community as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Good Samaritan Clinic in Morganton, and his country as a member of both the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy. Surviving are his wife, Patricia Rogers Gaetje, of the home; a brother, Frank Gaetje, of Prosser, Wash.; two nephews, William Pat and Clay Gaetje; an uncle, Stephen Karby; and a cousin, Richard Karby. Also surviving are his extended family, the Theodore Royster family and a special nephew, Ty Bell. No Services are planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, 1721 Enon Rd. Valdese, NC 28690 or to the Good Samaritan Clinic, 305 W. Union St., Morganton, NC 28655. An online guestbook and obituary is available at heritagefuneral services.com. Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory is assisting the Gaetje family.