Thomas Meade Dempsey

“It is a hard time,” said Bill Dempsey, when speaking of the recent death of his youngest son, Tom, “a parent shouldn’t have to bury his child, but he is at peace, and no longer in pain.”

                Gone from this world, but not from the memories of his father Bill, siblings Tim, and Teri, extended family and beloved canine Zues, is Thomas Meade Dempsey, born March 1, 1963, in Marysville.  He passed on Sunday, November 17, 2024, in Chico after a lengthy illness.

                Parents Lynn (Dwyer) and Bill Dempsey instilled the values of hard work, sticking to the project, having fun, and being a productive member of the community.

                Educated in the Durham Schools, Tom played Little League (dad was a coach), was a member of the Boy Scouts, and was also a tri state champion (Nevada, Oregon, California) moto cross racer.  Anything having to do with “going really fast” was something he excelled at, and the gearheads in the local area knew of Tom’s way with an internal combustion engine. He enjoyed all sports in high school (Mr. Trojan Award), and especially enjoyed the friendships and camaraderie of Block D.  To that end, Tom still volunteered as an adult member of the Block D Dance committee 25 years after he had graduated from DHS.

                He enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing on the Sacramento River (salmon, bass, sturgeon) and getting that Eagle Lake trout each year.  “He never met a stranger, could talk to most anyone about cars, engines, fishing, and loved his trips to Mexico for deep see adventures with Kevin Libby.”  He remained close to Kevin, Greg Sohnrey, and Scott Christopherson, through the years, and made friends over the parts counter at Dempsey (Napa) Automotive, all the while being the master at maintaining the “Joke of The Day”.

                Tom’s knowledge was put to work as a top fuel dragster mechanic.  He also worked on local racer’s cars at the Silver Dollar raceway, winning a championship one year with his friend “Give Away Gus” (Gary Smith).  This was after Tom had been the cornerstone of the auto parts business in Durham, from 1982-2005 where any number of people perched on the stools at the counter detailed a problem, asked for help and advice, and got predictable good results.

                A sideline of the “Joke of the Day” mentioned above, was that any number of locals would double park in front of the shop, hustle in to get the daily laugh, and pull forward with their tractor, implement or trailer and regale others with Tom’s sense of humor.  He will be missed – cremation and private disposition of cremains is planned.

                Donations are suggested to the diabetes foundation, in care of Brusie Funeral Home.  A Celebration of Life will be held in March of 2025, with more details to follow.