Lasting Memories

Thomas Nicholas Cootsona
Dec. 12, 1923-April 29, 2015
Menlo Park, California

Thomas Nicholas Cootsona started his life in Tacoma, Washington, on December 13, 1923 and was soon to survive the Great Depression, serve in World War II, and become part of the "Greatest Generation." His father, Nicholas, emigrated from Greece in 1912 (at the age of 12), and his mother, Elizabeth née Mastel, German by ethnicity, moved from Aberdeen, South Dakota, to the Pacific Northwest. Together, as a Greek and a German, this duo might today represent a Eurozone conflict, but in this case, they produced a son who brought together the love of disciplined, rational German engineering with a Greek readiness to celebrate and intense love of life. Tom attended Stadium High School in Tacoma, then served as an infantry soldier in the Second World War, seeing action in Europe and fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. He came home to Tacoma and, within four years, completed two bachelor degrees from the University of Washington (one in mechanical engineering, one in electrical engineering), and married Ruth Behrens of Puyallup, Washington. The marriage took a little courting on Tom?s part, but once together, they never looked back. After their dream four-month trip to Europe, they took to building a home together, first in the Seattle area, where there first son Marcus was born and then in Portland. Tired of the rainy Northwest, they headed down to the sunny, temperate San Francisco Bay Area in 1961, a location that was beginning the first of its economic booms. There, Tom began a 20-year career with the Syntex Corporation as project engineer. During that year, Ruth gave birth to their second son, Greg. The Cootsona duo of Ruth and Tom bought a house in Menlo Park and enjoyed beautiful weather, raising two boys, the beauty of Northern California ? especially Lake Tahoe, Carmel, and Half Moon Bay, as well as a range of outdoor activities like tennis. In 1981, it was time to make a career switch and Tom purchased Top Spin Tennis in Menlo Park, which he and Ruth ran until 2004. Unable to fully rid themselves of the retail impulse, Tom and Ruth worked at Marcus? store, Pro Tennis until Tom?s final retirement in 2008 at age 85. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Chico to be with Greg and his family and to prepare for a time when they would need assisted living. During those years, they became involved at Bidwell Presbyterian Church, where Greg was associate pastor. In his physically declining final two years, Tom never lost an inquisitive spirit, an intensely passionate devotion to his wife, nor an expansive friendliness. Tom died peacefully with his cherished Ruthie by his side on April 29, 2015. Dad, we will miss you ? your laugh, your kindness, your incredible dedication to us as your sons, your devotion to mom, your loud and persistent applause during our magic shows or music performances, your service to our country, your practical wisdom, and your Greek spirit always ready with a towel over your shoulder and a bottle of sparkling wine ? "Why wait for a holiday to have a celebration? Let?s just say, 'It?s a day!' and celebrate." And so, even with some tears, we celebrate you. Tom is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ruth, and their two sons, Marcus, who lives in Menlo Park, CA, and Greg, who lives in Chico, CA.