Thomas Julius Fandel

Tom (Poppy) left us on May 10th to be united in The Sacred Heart with the many beloved family and friends who passed before him. He was born the 8th of fourteen children to the family of Victor and Irene Fandel in St. Cloud Minnesota on December 17th 1925. The family, prominent during the depression, owned a large department store in the town. We were often told stories growing up of how the family shared their Grace...often with total strangers. He was raised with and exemplified the values of love, humility, generosity and charity toward others. He loved his family beyond words, he loved his church and he loved his country. He was proud to have served in the army infantry in Europe during WWII and stateside during the Korean War. While serving state side, stationed at Fort Riley Kansas he was walking along the road one day when a car stopped and offered him a ride. In the car was one Mary Kelly with her daughter, Joan. A few weeks later the two were married in a ceremony on the base and then we happened. Tom is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joan, his 5 children, Thomas Joel, Kelly (Terry), Kathleen Anne Carlson (Erik), Kevin John (Sara), Kent Michael (Deb),Kerry Therese Wallingford (Pete). He was blessed with 8 grandchildren, Kellyn and Kjiel Carlson, Nicholas and Joel Fandel, Bevynn and Makenna Wallingford and Natalia and Sophia Fandel all of whom adored him. He is preceded in death by several of his thirteen brothers and sisters. Of those surviving are his brother Mike (Nancy) of Cold Spring Minnesota, Mary Lou Cloate of Oklahoma City and Carol Ann Francis in Florida. Of the clan that grew out from that original ST. Cloud family a few remained in central Minnesota. Others spread out and settled in various locations around the country; Colorado, Tennessee, Florida, Oklahoma. Collectively they raised a total of 51 children whom we call the 2s. There are now countless 3s and many 4s as the family tree continues to grow from those Blessed roots. For Christmas in 1961 brother John David who we all affectionately called Ski had a prayer printed up and sent to each of his living brothers and sisters. The prayer is called The Consecration of the Family to the Sacred Heart. A copy hangs on a wall somewhere in most Fandel homes. This is that prayer. We consecrate to the O Jesus of Love, the Trials and the Joys and the Happiness of all Our Family Life, and We Beseech Thee to Pour Out Thy Blessings on all the Members, Absent and Present, Living and Dead And When, One After the Other, We Shall Have Fallen Asleep in Thy Blessed Bosom, O Jesus, May All of Us in Paradise Find Again Our Family in Thy Sacred Heart Dad worked well with numbers. For instance you could be driving along with him and hear him mumbling while he added up the numbers on passing license plates...keeping his mind fresh. His math prowess and his ability with a slide rule lead him to a position in the early 50s working hand in hand with Verne Von Braun calculating and surveying rocket trajectories at the White Sands base in New Mexico. It should be noted by all that in that effort, over sixty years ago our dad helped his country move one step closer to landing on the moon. He delighted in greeting a total stranger with a kind smile and an engaging hello. Of his friends is a special group of devout Catholics who gather frequently at the Olympic Village McDonalds after daily mass. Among them we would like to thank Deacon John, Jerry, Joel, Jim, Wendy, Kathy, Rita and others. As he grew weary and leaving the house became difficult other friends like Pete Rockness and John Martin were frequent visitors. We also thank Mary for her generous efforts to personally bring him communion on Sunday mornings. He loved all of you deeply and valued your friendship and the time he spent with all of you. If Tom had a mission in life or perhaps, later life, it was to make people smile. When St. Nicholas church which he attended faithfully for near 55 years opened a small school he was right there from the start as a volunteer with the kindergarten. The kids loved him and called him Poppy, a name given him by his granddaughter Bevynn. He organized penny drives which later became nickel drives; he related with the kids with his kindness and made lasting impressions. His archives include many cards and well wishes from 5 year olds. A funeral mass will be held at St Nicholas Church in Gig Harbor, 3510 Rosedale St NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335 on Saturday, May 21st at 1:00 PM with a reception to follow at his daughter Kathleens home. Old fashioned to the end Poppy requested that women attend in skirts. Tom will be in interned with military honors in the family plot in St. Could this summer. In remembrance he would ask us all to make someone smile today and to know he is ok. We will miss you dad.