THOMAS P. WATERS 1940-2005

STRAUCH, WATERS, SCHARA

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 11/14/2005 at 20:23:33

Thomas P. Waters

Thomas P. Waters (64), of Electric City, Washington, died at his home on Thursday, September 22, 2005, after bravely battling cancer for the past six months.

Tom was born in Postville, Iowa on October 5, 1940 to Paul and Kathryn (Strauch) Waters. He graduated from Postville High School and immediately entered the U.S. Navy where he proudly served his country for over 20 years including two tours in Vietnam. On December 27, 1961 he married the love of his life, Sharon Rae Schara, also of Postville.

Tom attended Marquette University and completed numerous hours of technical and specialty training throughout his career. Tom retired as a Chief Petty Officer (Radioman) in February 1978 while living in Casper, Wyoming. After retirement, he worked for Tri-State Generation and Transmission in Casper and worked there until moving to the Grand Coulee Dam area in 1989. He worked as a Communications Technician for the Bonneville Power Administration until his retirement in April 2005.

Throughout his life, Tom enjoyed many passions; hunting, fishing, and camping with his family occupied his time in the early years, ham radio, computers, and politics, the latter. Tom was a staunch supporter and lifetime member of the NRA. Additionally, Tom had the know-how (and tools) to fix anything broken.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon, at the family home; two sons, Gregory T. (Denise) of Maple Valley, WA and Richard P. (Kathleen) of Okanogan, WA; one brother, Stanley (Claudia) of Hugo, MN; and his three grandchildren, Zachary Charles and Benjamin Thomas Waters of Maple Valley, WA and Brittany Anne Waters of Okanogan,WA. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 29, 2005 at 11 a.m. at Crown Point. Strate Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Postville Herald, September 30, 2005

Note: this same obituary also was in The Star, September 28, 2005; Grand Coulee, WA