Obituary of Thomas McKay Schwerzler

We will be honoring the life of Tom on Saturday, February 13 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Tacoma, WA. Born February 7, 1953, died February 1, 2010. Tom was a 1971 graduate of Franklin Pierce High School, Tacoma. Tom was born on February 7, 1953 to Raymond and Dorothy Schwerzler. He was raised with lots of laughs and jokes in his childhood home with his siblings Linda (Dan) Thompson, Sandra (Jim) Schnase, Larry Schwerzler, Randy (Terri) Schwerzler, Kari(Chris) McCloud. Tom worked in the printing business in Tacoma for 27 years. He was a proud member of the Teamsters District Council 2 Union (GCIU DC2) and did his best to give support to his union members. As a teenager Tommy spent his summers in Westport working as a deckhand with his best friend, Tom Bortle, and family. Those summers started the salt water pumping through his veins. It was a great place to grow up. It was there he met Lisa Pettersson. It was said they were “high school sweethearts” from different high schools! After seven years, and many trips to Westport, they were married on September 26, 1975. They lived in Tacoma and eight years later started a family. They raised their boys Justin Ray, and Alex Erik in Tacoma, visiting Westport often. Being with his family was most important to Tom. Tom “grew up” with his boys in cub scouts and boy scouts. They had many exciting adventures and made a lot of great lasting friendships along the way. He went to summer camp in Hawaii with the troop, a trip the boys will never forget! Tom was a “Pied Piper,” so it was no surprise all the kids would want to hang out with him. Tom was an assistant scout master with Troop 123 and stayed involved with scouting to the end. Known by his hunting buddies as Odie, he enjoyed the hunt almost as much as camping, the guys, and telling stories around the campfire. Oh, the stories they would tell! He loved the outdoors, and was always looking for a place to play. You could always find Tom and his boys fishing, hunting, clam digging, or helping out on someone’s boat somewhere! He resided the last nine years in Westport, living his dream. To accumulate sea time for his 100 Ton Masters License, he worked on various commercial fishing boats, The Grays Harbor Pilot Boat, and as deckhand on his brother-in-law, Erik Pettersson’s charter boat. They had as much fun fishing as adults as they did as kids. He spent his last few years as a deckhand/cook on various tugboats for Dunlap Towing going to Alaska and Hawaii. He loved the water and his job. Working on the tugboats now, he was a proud member of The Inland Boatman’s’ Union. Tom’s latest joys were his grandchildren, Louis Erik, Karlee Jean, and Ethan Curtis. He loved being “Grandpa”, they made him laugh! He also had many nieces and nephews and other close relatives who will miss him dearly. He had a personality larger than life and was always the first to jump up to lend a helping hand. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed. He had many special friends that touched his heart. We can take comfort in his memory and all the smiles he put on our faces and in our hearts. Good Bye Tommy Sail Safe A celebration of Tom’s life will be held on Saturday, February 13, 2010 at 11:00am at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 101 East 38th Street, Tacoma, WA 98404. Tom wanted a special thanks to go to the MultiCare Oncology Dept. and the MultiCare Hospice providers for their great care, kindness and support of Tom and his family through his illness. Donations can be made to: Boy Scout Troop 123, C/O Alex Schwerzler, 9040 South D St, Tacoma, Wa 98444 Or American Cancer Society