Saturday, April 20, 2024
Tom was born in Flint, Michigan on Sept. 8, 1952 and raised in Byron, Michigan. He was a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War era and soon set out on a trip around the world in 1972, working and hitchhiking through countries as diverse as Afghanistan and the Tongan Islands. He met his friend Tom Samuelsen on a Hawaiian stopover in 1973. TC had many adventures, which provided a source of stories with which he has regaled his friends. Upon reaching the west coast, TC hiked the Pacific Coast Trail, ending up in Monitor picking cherries. John Hooper and Tom formed a tree planting partnership Upper Valley Reforestation and remained lifelong friends. His mother, Barb, sister, Debbie, and childhood friend Ike Heath followed him to the valley. He opened TC Repair in 1983, fixing farm equipment and automobiles until his passing.
TC was well known for the care and attention he gave to his beloved late friend Frederick M. Johnson, arranging shows of Johnson’s art work in 2010. TC passed away one month after hosting a soft opening of the new Ryegrass Gallery on Deadman Hill Road in Dryden, which will feature the works of Johnson and other local artists.
Tom was a progressive Democrat and had a wide variety of interests. His many friends found him to be cheerful, generous, friendly, outgoing, enthusiastic and loving.
Tom was pre-deceased by his parents Donald Corey and Barbara (Clark) Corey and his brothers Michael and James. He is survived by siblings Valerie Lauer of Rochester Hills, Michigan, Deborah Williams of Ellensburg, Washington, and Steven of Johns Creek, Georgia. as well as his loving friend Sandra Palm. He was beloved uncle to nieces and nephews including Royce and Karen Corey, Daniel and Andrew Williams, Alex and Carolyn Corey, Nick Kalenauskas, Marion Tobias, and James, Donald and Aaron Corey.
His dog, Maxxy, brought joy to Tom and to his friends and customers.
Ward’s Funeral Chapel has charge of arrangements. A memorial service will be held for Tom on Sept. 9 at the Dryden Community Hall. Donations in his memory may be made to Dryden Improvement Club or the Community Foundation of North Central Washington (cfncw.org).
“Being honest may not get you a lot of friends, but it’ll always get you the right ones.” – John Lennon
