Thomas "Tom" Naas

1950 - 2005

Thomas "Tom" Naas left us to go home to the Lord on Oct. 15, 2005, after a courageous battle with brain cancer.

Tom was born Dec. 7, 1950, in Santa Paula and grew up in Fillmore in a tightly knit neighborhood in a simpler time. From an early age, Tom loved to draw and went on to earn his bachelor of arts degree at Fresno State University, and continued to work on various art projects both for pleasure and commercially all his life. Cartooning, one of his favorite mediums, often expressed strong political statements of the current happenings through the decades. Tom had a wonderful sense of humor even until his last days and anyone who knew him could vouch for the persistent prankster and practical joker he was.

Tom was an avid surfer, even through his battle with cancer. True to his active, adventurous nature, he obtained a pilot's license early on, flying, even sky diving and for a time flying an ultralight glider he built himself.

Proficient as a welder, he worked for 15 years for Shell Oil Co., before going on to act as a Western purchasing agent for Cal Resources, a subsidiary of Shell Oil. For several years, he was plant operator of the Cal Resources Gas Plant in Ventura, before his last position as an offshore platform operator off the coast of Long Beach.

For the past 25 years, Tom resided with his wife, Linda, in Santa Maria, where they raised their family.

Tom is survived by his wife, Linda; daughters, Jennifer Rodriguez, Angela Naas, and Desiree Crowley (husband John); son, Nickolas Naas; granddaughter, Jamie; sisters, Charlene (husband Mike) Ford of Santa Rosa and Linda (husband Tom) Lyons of Battle Ground, Wash.; and brothers, Chuck (wife Melinda) Naas of Fillmore and Rick Naas of Oxnard.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Joseph and Marcella Marie Naas.

Viewing was held Tuesday, Oct. 18, at Skillin-Carroll Mortuary in Fillmore. A service was held Wednesday, Oct. 19, at Faith Community Church in Fillmore.

Procession to Bardsdale Cemetery was followed by a gathering of family and friends at the home of Chuck and Melinda Naas.