Thomas DeWitt Muirhead

Thomas DeWitt Muirhead
Arcadia, California
1926-2013

"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." - Buddha

Tom Muirhead passed away on Saturday, November 9, 2013. Ever
active, and emblematic of his way of living, that morning Tom had beaten his brother-in-law Jack Archer at several hands of gin rummy at Jack's home in La Quinta, California. A merry group consisting of Tom, Jack, their wives and sister-in-law were on their way to the Follies matinee in Palm Springs when Tom passed.

The son of Ruth and Richard T. Muirhead, Tom was raised in Altadena California with his brother Chuck and sister Joanie. He attended Elliot Junior High (where he met his wife-to-be, Lorraine Archer), Pasadena Junior College and USC. At the outbreak of World War II, Tom interrupted his studies at USC to enter the Merchant Marine Academy and, upon graduation, served in the dangerous waters of South Pacific until the end of the war.

Married in Pasadena California 1949, Tom and Lorraine had four children, Richard (Jennifer), Annie (Bob), Keith (Cathy) and Tim (Phil), eight grandchildren, a great grandson and, arriving imminently, a great granddaughter. Tom and his family enjoyed life to the fullest, enjoying ski and golf trips and family vacations, often selected by the children who still reminisce about their great times with mom and dad.

Tom and Lorraine were a striking example of successful and happy life partners. Married for over almost 64 years they were hugely popular throughout the decades. Whether in groups of old friends, new acquaintances, family or any combination, Tom was the perennial life of the party. He was an avid golfer, joke-teller, card player and-now it can be revealed-football better.

After the war, Tom entered his father's equipment export business, the R.T. Muirhead Company in Los Angeles. Succeeding his father as President in 1948, Tom combined his business savvy and winning personality to lay the foundations for the Company's growth, expanding from Latin America to the South Pacific and Asia. He continued active in the business, going to the office every day through last week. With the employment of sons Richard and Keith, and recent addition grandson, Conor, the R.T. Muirhead Company became a four-generation family enterprise, to Tom's great delight and satisfaction.

While Tom's family and friends will now miss the physical presence of his constant good cheer, humor, kind heart and loving personality, we will always feel them in our hearts and our memories. Tom's flame only burned brighter as he gave light to others, and that light will continue to shine and be shared by all who have felt its glow.

A Memorial Service will be held at the United Methodist Church of the Good Shepherd, 400 W. Duarte Rd. Arcadia CA 91007 at 3:00 P.M. on Saturday November 16, 2013. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Tom's honor to Arcadia Methodist Hospital Foundation, directed to Cardiac Rehabilitation (gftpln.org), or to Pasadena Humane Society (pasadenahumane.org)