Thomas McClung II
May 8, 1963 - September 16, 2020
Tacoma, Washington - Thomas (Tom, Tiger, Tommy) James McClung II passed away September 16, 2020 at the age of 57. Born May 8, 1963 in Grand Forks, ND, Tom was the youngest child to Major Thomas & Doris McClung.
After living in Thailand from 1966-68 and Selfridge AFB in MI from 1968-70, the McClung family settled in Tacoma, WA in 1970. Tom spent the remainder of his life working in Tacoma and living in his beloved University Place home. He attended Downing Elementary, Truman Middle School, and Wilson High School, graduating in 1981.
Tom was intensely private. He was always ready to share a laugh or a smile but kept his relationships at work and home private. He spent most of his time tending to his beautiful home garden. Tom formed his most cherished friendships working at the Tacoma Stevens Fred Meyer. He started at Eve's Buffet in 1985, where some say he made the world's best pancakes. He transferred to the Garden Center, where he stayed for over 30 years. His passion and knowledge for plants was breathtaking. From the first rhododendron he planted at his childhood home to his final fall dahlias, Tom was a brilliant self-trained gardener; those who learned from him were lucky.
Tom fought a courageous battle against aggressive brain cancer with a smile on his face, burps, and jokes for anyone that was listening. Tom's family and friends are devastated by his sudden loss. Tom was preceded in death by his mother, father, sister Cynthia McClung, and his dear dachshund Pixie. He leaves behind his sister Linda Frahm (Joe), brother-in-law Michael Pizzuto, and nieces Chelsea Culver and Brittany Culver (Kirk).
Due to COVID, we were all unable to visit Tom at his final home at Franke Tobey Jones. The FTJ staff became Tom's family. Quenn, Esther, Herna, Kristina, and others ensured Tom's final months were filled with love, kindness, and deep conversations. We are forever thankful to the FTJ team and everything they did for Tom.
We are also deeply grateful for all of the Fred Meyer coworkers and customers who have shared stories, pictures, and prayers over the last year. Learning about Tom's friends and having them become our extended family has been the silver lining to this heartbreaking year. Thank you for being Tom's family over the past 35 years – he was loved by more people than we could have ever known.
Tom's services will be held at New Tacoma Cemetery at 11am on Saturday, October 10th. Attendance is limited per COVID regulations, but the service will also be livestreamed. We hope you will join remotely to celebrate Tom's life. For login details, visit https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/tommcclung2

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by News Tribune (Tacoma) on Oct. 4, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas McClung

Sponsored by New Tacoma Cemeteries, Funeral Home and Crematory.

4 Entries

Christian Matter

October 7, 2020

I'm at Tom's several years ago when I was in high school. In 2007 I began working at the Tacoma Stevens Fred Meyer where I would work for the next 3 years. During that time I got to get to know Tom on a really great level when my mom got sick he was always asking me how she was doing. Tom was a very caring person who cared for everyone around him and always did his best to make us smile if you notice that you were having a down day he went out of his way to try and make you laugh and smile. I will always remember the great conversations that we would have in the break room whether it was on break or on lunch or just coming in or leaving. For now I will say farewell I will see you on the other side this is not our goodbye this is just I'll see you down the road. I love you Tom thank you for the friendship you gave me

Eva W McClung

Sent Flowers

Kymberly Chamberlain

October 7, 2020

Tommy, you have my love forever.
It was never ever a doubt in my mind that the plants you took care of at work were the most beautiful.
You taught me a ton.
You always told me I looked nice even though we both just finished unloading a truck.
You sir, were truly one of a kind we lost a treasure when you passed.
You always had a smile and a good word for everyone.
I'll miss you my friend.
I worked with Tommy for 10 years at Fred Meyer.

Mary Ellen McClung Lucherini

October 4, 2020

Tiger was my only guy cousin. He was a sweet, fun, and quirky cousin. All 6 1st cousins enjoyed running around Tacoma and cruising to The Mountain as young teenagers.
In the last few years he was interested in learning more about Jesus and even met me for a midweek Bible lesson in Tacoma. I will definitely miss him. Much love.

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