THOMAS LOCKETT

1923 - 2015

Thomas Webster Lockett Tom Lockett's long good life on this earth ended Nov. 17, 2015, at the Fox Island home he loved for 48 years. He was born Aug. 4, 1923 in Burbank, CA to Ruby and Thomas Lockett. Despite the Depression and his father's early death, he had happy memories of a loving extended family and close friends. He was a Burbank High graduate, tennis player, and Eagle Scout. During his Army Air Corps training in Seattle, a chance meeting with Elizabeth Ann Barta quickly blossomed into romance. Their small wartime wedding began 71 years of marriage, with two daughters, three grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. After the war and his return from service on Saipan, the young couple moved to Burbank, where Tom began a successful career in surplus airplane part salesgoing from warehouse worker to co-founder/vice president of Pacific Sky Supply. He left this dream job in 1961 and started over in Washington because it seemed best for his family. He became president of Dascomp, an export company, then founder of Stack, a hardware supply firm. Tom enjoyed many hobbies and experiences over his lifetime: gardening; photography; horseback riding; golf; a summer cabin at Vaughn; travel to Japan, Hawaii, and Washington DC, and motor home stops throughout the West. Most of all, he enjoyed people; he was sincerely interested in what they had to say, and related well across all generations and walks of life. He was actively involved in Fox lsland life, raising funds for its tennis courts; serving as a FICRA board member, annual fair organizer and parade grand marshal and a Historical Museum docent; and hosting the Bible study that grew into Fox Island Alliance Church. Tom is survived by his wife Liz, their daughters Sue (Al) John and Cindy (Joe) Dille, grandchildren Sara Jo (Joe) Pietraszweski, Tom (Meghann) John, and Melinda (Philip) Nielsen, great-grandchildren Magdalene, Edmund, Hugh, Agnes, Therese, and Marie Nielsen, his half-brother Ray (Jean) Becker of Valencia, CA, and dear friends of all ages. He began each day with his Bible, and ended it praying his gratitude and hope. He would echo the family's special thanks to friends Rich and Glenda Peterson and care manager Terri McPherson and the other wonderful caregivers, who made it possible for him and Liz to stay safe and happy in their home. Memorial service 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, at The Fox Island Chapel. Online obituary and condolences at www.havenrest.com. Remembrances: Tacoma Rescue Mission.