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Thomas Close Obituary
Salinas - 1942-2020
Thomas Franklin Close of Salinas, CA passed away at his home with his family by his side on Monday, August 3, 2020. Tom gallantly fought the blood cancer disease Multiple Myeloma.
Tom attended Visalia elementary schools, middle schools and Mt. Whitney High School. In 1960 he graduated from Tulare Union High School in Tulare, CA.
In 1967, Tom moved his family to the Salinas Valley and began a trade in carpentry. In 1976 Tom started Close Construction, a company he solely owned and maintained until a few weeks before his passing. He had amazing skills as a carpenter, building contractor, and master craftsman. Tom was well known as a professional and perfectionist in both work and life.
Tom enjoyed working in his shop, building cabinets, refinishing furniture and gardening. His passion was collecting and restoring vintage cars. He was well known for hosting his family and friends, making him most famous for his skirt steak and country ribs. Tom also had a passion for everything 50's, including his colossal collection of memorabilia.
Tom is survived by his High School Sweetheart, Katherine "Pat" Tristao Close. They were married 59 years.
Tom is also survived by his daughters, Cathie Close Olivas (Whitney), Claudia Close Getz (Greg), his sister Debbie Sooter Devita (Phil) and grandchildren: Rachel, Chloe, Kyle and McKenzie and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Facebook page has been created for family and friends to share photos and stories about Tom. Tom Close Memorial Facebook pages address is : @tomclosememorial
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Close
Christine Anderson
August 31, 2020
May your memories carry you through this difficult time. Sorry to hear of Tom’s passing he was the kindest gentleman I’ve had the privilege of meeting.
He will be greatly missed.
Vida Wright Harris
August 31, 2020
I have had the privilege and honor to know Tom since high school. My best friend, Cathie’s father. Tom and Pat always treated me like part of their family Tom was one of the kindest, compassionate men and I truly adored and looked up to him. Anyone who knows Cathie and Claudia see what truly amazing parents they have raised these two strong willed, hard working, caring women. I am so sad this beautiful man has left this earth. However I know that he will be an angel guarding over so many.
August 30, 2020
We are so sorry for your loss, Michael always had great things to say about Tom!
With love and sympathy, Michael and Jana Youngblood ❤
Chuck Lerable
August 26, 2020
Tom was a great friend and wonderful neighbor. His wife and daughters will forever remain treasured memories of a life shared with such an incredible person however brief. His kindness, patience and readiness to do anything was enviable and without exception always expertly undertaken to my amazement. What a rare person Tom was that he could balance his life's work always with time for family and friends. He lived an exceptional life in perfect balance. I feel that I am a better person that our paths happened to cross, however short it was, and can think of no greater gift that Tom could leave then an unselfish piece of himself whatever the situation or encounter.
To Pat, I hope your tears will someday turn to smiles when you think of Tom and your incredible and loving life together. And to Cathie and Claudia, I hope your loss will turn into happy memories of your father's life well lived that you can pass along as an example to your families. What exceptional gifts Tom has given us all. We can say that without question Tom left this world a better place.
Larry Edinger
August 26, 2020
So Sorry for your Lost!
Garyalynn Wilhelm
August 23, 2020
Pat, so sorry about Tom! You two had a marriage that all should emulate. Remember, he will always be with you in your memories. Be sure when we finally have our class reunion to come! You belong to our class of 1960 also. My heart hurts for you but I know you’ll be fine, you are strong and know you are loved.
Martha Antuzzi
August 23, 2020
Pat, I was so sorry to hear about Tom's passing and his fight against this horrible disease. We always enjoyed meeting up with you at the car shows. God bless you and your family during this time of grief.
Melanie
August 22, 2020
You’ll surely be missed especially your smile every time I would see you. Your smile warms up and lights up wherever you are. I had the honor to get to know you even just for a short time. But now you earned your wings and it is time for you to rest. You will continue to smile now that you’re suffering no more. Thank
You for letting me take care of you
Robert Arnold
August 22, 2020
My Cuzzz A Great One We Will Him
Debra Sedillo
August 22, 2020
I didn't have the privilege to meet you but can see your legacy will live on through your daughters and family. You will be missed by those who love you and one day you will be reunited with them.
Mary Salles Dennis
August 22, 2020
Such a gentleman with a smile that would not stop. Rest in peace Tom. Your 1960 classmates will miss you.
Claudia Close Fetz
August 22, 2020
To our friends and family,
My and Cathie’s father gave us such a wonderful childhood. Every day he woke up happy and full of energy bursting to get the day going. He made every day count. Even when he was so sick from going through chemotherapy. He continued to work, garden, and enjoy his hobbies and family. He had such good work ethics and so self driven. He practically worked 7 days a week. Every house we lived in, he made beautiful inside and out. Always had pride in ownership with everything he had. Always a resource of advice whether we wanted it or not, he was right . He also has such a corny slapstick kind of humor that kept us all laughing. He has the best “dad jokes”. He was king of cool.
We have so been appreciating the cards, dinners delivered and flowers . Everyone that knows my mom, Pat Close, please keep in touch with her and have lunch with her once in awhile . We can’t do anything for our father anymore. But we can certainly to everything for our mom.
If you are wondering if we will be having services for my father, when this pandemic is over with, you bet Weill will do it up right for our father. We hop to do this around the time of his next birthday. So please keep in touch with us.
With much sorrow and love, Claudia aka Pie Face as my dad always called me.
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