Thomas J. "Tom" Priestman

1935 - 2021

Thomas J. 'Tom' Priestman

Sioux City

Thomas J. "Tom" Priestman, 85, of Sioux City died Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021 at Nye Legacy in Fremont, Neb.

A graveside service will be 1 p.m. today at Memorial Park Cemetery. Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, Morningside, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Thomas James "Tom" Priestman, the son of Fred and Patricia (James) Priestman, was born May 11, 1935, in Sioux City. He attended Cathedral Grade School and was in the first four-year class to graduate from Bishop Heelen High School. Tom went on the earn his Bachelor's Degree in Art from Morningside College. After teaching grade school Art class for one year, he decided that wasn't for him.

Tom ventured west to California to find his new life. He stayed there about ten years, living with his sister, Nancy, and her family. Tom worked at North American Aviation on a mid-shift and took Art and Pottery classes at a community college and while there, completed a Drafting Degree. When the quakes and aftershocks happened more often in California, Tom decided to move back to Iowa where the earth stood still. He started working in the Engineering Department at Wilson Trailer until he retired in the mid-1990s.

When Tom returned to Sioux City, he became the caretaker for the remaining family, since he was the only one close. What he really enjoyed was traveling on his off time, enjoying everything there was to see in the United States and Canada. Tom's other obsession was golfing every weekend and after his retirement, whenever he could, he would arrange time with his golfing buddies. Scoring became less important than just enjoying the game.

After he retired, his sister, Betty, joined the travels and developed the itinerary for trips that would take them in most of the States and National Parks and could run three to four weeks; including visiting family along the way. They continued these trips for several years until they exhausted all that they wanted to see, and they too, were exhausted.

Tom is survived by a brother, Fred J. (Denise) Priestman; nieces, Patty Rexrode, Donna Boise, Dana Priestman, Amy Weger; nephews, David Hobbs, Andrew Priestman; two cousins and their families from London, Ontario, Canada; five cousins and their families from New Kensington, Pa.; four cousins and their families from ranging from Southern California to Memphis, Tenn., to Chobduck, Utah, and Muscatine, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-mother, Nadine Priestman; and sisters, Nancy McKown and Betty Munro.

Tom lived his life the way he planned. Rest in Peace, Brother!