Thomas "Tom" Kenyon

Thomas "Tom" Kenyon

Chelan, WA

Tom was born in Oregon but raised in Chelan, WA, where he returned to often throughout his life. He moved to Wenatchee in his Junior year, attending Wenatchee Valley High School, where he met and fell in love with Deda Tait, who would later become his wife.

After playing basketball and football and graduating high school, he was invited by Uncle Sam for a detour to Korea. While in the Army, he served honorably as an officer and, among other things, patrolled the DMZ, until he could return home to marry Deda and move to Ellensburg, WA, to attend Central Washington College. He went on to Thunderbird University in Phoenix, AZ, for his Master's Degree in International Business. He and Deda moved from Phoenix to Los Angeles, CA, briefly to Houston, TX, and then to the San Francisco Bay Area, CA, where he spent most of his life, raising a family and working in international shipping for K-Line, a Japanese shipping company.

Upon retiring, he moved from the Bay Area to Paso Robles, CA, for 10 years with Deda, and then with her passing, he moved back to the Bay Area to be near his daughters.

Tom was an avid reader with a green thumb, and had a passion for woodworking. He was known for collecting succulents on walks to add to his garden and repotting even the saddest orchids to bring them back to life. He repaired the forlorn chair or table his daughters dragged home, bringing forth their original charm and beauty. He was an honorable man, always choosing what was right versus what was easy. He shared many life lessons with his daughters, chief among them - there is a right way to do things and to finish what you start. He also made a mean Manhattan.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Deda. Tom is survived by his two daughters: Nicole Kenyon Guntharp and Kristina Kenyon; and grandson, Patrick Thomas Kenyon Guntharp.

Tom is returning to Wenatchee to be reunited with Deda. While Deda's Service took place during Covid, the family welcomes any friends of Tom or Deda to join in the Remembrance and Celebration of their Lives at a Graveside Service at Wenatchee City Cemetery, 1804 N. Western Ave., Wenatchee, WA, on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Arrangements by Jones & Jones-Betts Funeral Home, Wenatchee, WA.