Thomas Dwight Felt

1944 - 2015

THOMAS DWIGHT FELT Thousands of Arcata High students learned to type by keying these words, "T. Felt will get a massive, massive buck." Each new school year was full of excitement, not only to reacquaint with staff and students, but the anticipation of a fast approaching hunting season. Tom had a great rapport with his students and really enjoyed encountering them as adults living and working in the community. Tom was a 1962 graduate of Arcata High School and earned a Bachelor's degree and Teaching Credential from Humboldt State College. On January 28, 1967, he married and enjoyed forty eight years with his life-long sweetheart, Deborah Smith. He soon acquired his first teaching position and the newlyweds relocated to Hayward, CA. Soon thereafter, Tom had the opportunity to return to Humboldt County and taught for thirty years at Arcata High School from 1970-2000. Thomas Dwight Felt the 5th, or "T," was born July 3, 1944 in Fortuna, California to Dwight and Alice Felt. As a descendant of Gold Rush 49er and Humboldt County physician Theodore Dwight Felt, M.D., Tom enjoyed learning about family history in Humboldt and Trinity Counties. As a child, Little Tommy was a good marble player, and to this day has a collection of marbles won during those childhood games in McKinleyville. He stayed out many nights 'til after dark, although he had been instructed to be home for dinner. His mom, Alice, finally went down to the marble playing area, grabbed him by the ear and walked him home. She apologized for the rest of her life for having embarrassed him in front of friends. Tom could best be described as an honest, fair, loyal, and hard-working family man. He did not seek fame or riches and was quick to lend a helping hand with building or moving projects. He let his actions do most of the talking and his sons are quick to point out they learned from their father's example rather than lecture. Tom enjoyed being self-reliant, as long as that didn't include working on cars. He was involved in building his home on Kneeland and later in Ruth. He was especially known for making fine decks and cabinetry. Tom had an eye for finish work, which carried over into everything else he did. He was one of those rare people who stayed clean no matter what type of job he was involved in, even digging clams in the bay. Outside of school, Tom poured his energy into backpacking, hunting, and projects around the house. The family spent several weeks each summer hiking in the Trinity Alps. During deer season, Tom rarely missed hunting in Ruth with family and friends. His brother-in-law, Richard Langer, was his hunting and wood cutting companion most of the time. Tom and his sisters, Inez and Fran, consider Richard a brother. So is the relationship that developed between the two. Tom's idea of a good time was sharing laughter and fried potatoes in hunting camp with Richard, John Baddeley, and his other hunting companions. After retiring from Arcata High in 2000, Tom and Debbie relocated to his favorite hunting spot, Ruth, CA. He stayed busy or busier in retirement and did various things such as managing the Ruth Lake Community Services District at Ruth Lake for many years and served as a Board Member for the Southern Trinity Joint Unified School District until 2014. Tom's best work was that which he did for his wife. His "honey do list" was long, but he worked at it with little complaint. Tom demonstrated his love for Debbie and others through his work. Tom is missed by many family members: his wife Deborah Felt; sisters, Fran Thomas and Inez Orlandi (both of whom consider Tom to be the best brother a girl could have); son Tyler Felt and his wife Karen along with their two children, Truman and Lilian; son Andrew Felt and his wife Chrissy and their two children, Cody and Mackenzie; and many nieces and nephews. With the tremendous support of Hospice of Humboldt, Tom passed away peacefully in his Eureka home on June 4th. His wife Debbie had the pleasure of letting him win the final "I love you the most" verbal parlay whereas he had not logged a victory in the previous forty-eight years. A Celebration of Life and potluck will be held from 11:00-3:00 on June 27th at Azalea Hall, 1620 Pickett Rd, McKinleyville, CA In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Humboldt. Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com under obituaries.