Tom Peebles, 77

Thomas Leon Peebles, age 77, was born to Arthur W. Peebles and Mary Emma Rector on November 8th, 1944 in Terre Haute, Indiana and grew up in Three Rivers. Tom was the middle son between his older brother Arthur and younger brother John. Tom’s parents were divorced some time later.

Tom and his brothers were separated from their mom for several years because of a chronic medical condition with which she suffered. After, some time, Tom’s mother was blessed with a daughter, Gloria. She surprised her sons with their new baby sister. Gloria spent summers with the Peebles and she became close to her brothers and step-siblings. In fact, she was given the last name of Peebles when she was born.

Arthur went on to marry Marty, who had four children…Richard, Steve, Larry and Marcia. The two families were blended as one. They had their share of good times, along with some bad, as with most families.

Tom joined the U.S. Navy in August of 1963, and served in the Vietnam War. His time in the service was good for him, as it taught him life skills that would prepare him for a successful life as a civilian. Tom decided not to return to Michigan when his Navy buddy, Joe Pike, invited him to come to his home town in Ontario, California and stay with him at his mother’s (Mrs. Pike) house. Tom really liked Ontario and California. He especially liked the warm weather after growing up in very cold temperatures near the great lakes.

Tom got a job at the phone company while staying in Ontario, and met new friends. He became very close to the Pike Family. Tom would eventually meet Kathy Lloyd in 1968. They dated for about three years before they got engaged. Tom and Kathy married in 1972. Tom decided that he needed a career that would provide a better income, and thought about becoming a police officer. He tested and interviewed for the Los Angeles Sherriff’s Department and was hired in 1971. He served the first year of his employment at Wayside Honor Rancho in Castaic, California. All new deputies spend one year at a correctional facility. Valencia is near Castaic, and that is where Tom and Kathy bought their first home. The Sherriff’s Department paid for Tom’s education, and in 1977 he got his Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Redlands. Tom and Kathy were so happy to have been blessed with three sons, Thomas Scott Peebles (Tommy), who now goes by the name of Bruno, Brian Joseph Peebles, and Jeffrey Michael Peebles. Bruno and Brian were born in Los Angeles County, and Jeff was born in Orange County. Tom and his family very much enjoyed living in Valencia, and quickly grew close friendships with their neighbors next door, whose kids were born near the same times as Tommy and Brian. The children became close friends as well. During his residency in Valencia, Tom was converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and became an active member. After Tom completed his year working at the corrections facility, he was put on patrol in Valencia, which was nice for him to be so close to home. After some months, he was transferred to the Torrance area, where he saw and was involved with high crime and sad domestic issues. He had a hard time with his new position and became depressed with what he saw and had to deal with. After a lot of thought and discussion, Tom decided to pursue a new career. He was offered a job at an oil company in Human Resources in Long Beach, California. Tom and his family moved to Irvine in Orange County to be closer to his new job. This is where baby Jeff was born. Tom and Kathy spent nine years together before divorcing in 1981.

Tom had been working for Kaiser Permanente for 14 years, then a few other businesses before he decided to go into business for himself. He spent the remainder of his career as an independent recruiter, and eventually retired in 2008 after the economy took a steep downturn. Tom became sick with dementia shortly after his retirement. In the early days, it was some simple forgetfulness. It was at this point that his son, Jeff, moved in to help out. For the next twelve years or so, Tom slowly declined in health. In the early days of his illness, he would enjoy going to Marshalls several times a day, and smoking cigars at his favorite cigar shop. He made good friends with the employees at McDonald’s, as he implemented a routine of going there every morning for breakfast. Tom struggled with his disease. The confusion would often lead to outbursts and sadness. Outside of that, he kept his humor and good spirit well maintained until the end. Tom passed on 15th of October, 2022. He had been in the hospital for two months before moving to Hospice, where he had stayed for three days before he passed. A close family friend, and caretaker, discovered him. Tom passed in his sleep, comfortably.

A memorial service was held on October 28.

Arrangements by Bell Tower Funeral Home & Crematory in Post Falls, ID.