Feb. 15, 1957-June 6, 2013
Homer resident Thomas Wilson “Tom” Temple, 56, passed away Thursday, June 6, 2013, surrounded by his wife and children at Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage from complications related to his heart transplant. A memorial service will be arranged in late August.
Tom was born Feb. 15, 1957. Son of Anchorage residents Sarah (Sally) May Johnston and Brad Temple, Tom was a life-long Alaskan. He loved the land, the water, the fish and, most of all, the people of Alaska. The majority of his life involved either fishing or talking about fishing. Tom loved scouting for the perfect set from the flying bridge, picking salmon and herring from the net, dip-netting on the Kenai, pulling halibut gear, and chatting with fishermen at the Homer Gear Shed. During his 45 years of fishing, Tom met many great people, many who became his close friends and all of whom he cared about, including Lynn, his wife and life-long partner. They met in 1985, married in 1989 and fished together for 27 years. Tom had three children, Ben, Reba and Jill. The family was fortunate to fish together for the past 15 years and Tom’s wife and children will always cherish these times on the water.
Tom had a heart transplant in 1986. Although this created many health complications, Tom didn’t let this affect his lifestyle. He lived like a fisherman until the very end. Tom and his family are grateful to the people of Homer, the Cardiovascular Center at University of Utah, the Alaska Heart Institute, Providence Hospital, Alaska Regional Hospital, the Kidney and Hypertension Clinic of Alaska, and the Alaska Cancer Treatment Center for caring so well for him. Every day with Tom was a gift to his friends and family.
Anyone who sat down for a cup of coffee and a chat with Tom was his friend; he had an amazing ability to engage anyone. His friends appreciated his sense of humor, his gentle and humble demeanor, and his constant readiness to listen. If you needed to be saved in a storm out at sea, or someone to entertain your toddler, you could trust Tom to do the job. He cared for people very much and he will be greatly missed.
Tom is remembered by his family: sister and brother in-law, Becky and Garnet Roehm, their children Mathew and Galen of Vista, Calif.; aunt, Judy Temple, of San Antonio Tlayacapan, Mexico, and her son James Bradley Hood of Homer; cousin, Cheryl Temple, her husband Geary Gresham, and their children, Hartwell and Kylie of Blaine, Wash.; his son and daughter in-law Ben and Jen of Hubbard, Ore.; and his wife Lynn and daughters Jill and Reba of Homer.
Arrangements were by the Anchorage Funeral Home and Crematory. Please visit Tom’s obituary and online guestbook at www.AlaskanFuneral.com.
