William Thomas “Tom” McNair, 40, a longtime resident of the Clear Lake community, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, September 7, 2010.
He was born in Anchorage, Alaska on March 12, 1970.
Tom came to the McNair family in 1972 and in 1974 they moved to Clear Lake, Washington where he was raised and attended school.
In 1990 Tom enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was deployed to active duty aboard the USS Shreveport during the Desert Storm conflict. After his honorable discharge in 1992 he returned briefly to Clear Lake before going to Alaska to work at his uncle’s automotive shop. In 1995 he went to Arizona, attending an Automotive Technical School later working in the automotive industry in Vancouver, Washington.
After returning to Clear Lake Tom got involved in “his town”, always helping out his neighbors and friends and volunteering much of his time at the Clear Lake Food Bank.
Tom never met a stranger and literally helped everyone he knew. He was always giving.
Tom is survived by his parents, Douglas & Barbara McNair of Clear Lake. His brother, Scott McNair and his soulmate, Sylvia Hanjaja of Issaquah, WA. His best friend, Richard Rogers and his family of Clear Lake and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
The family suggest that memorials in memory of Tom be made to the Clear Lake Food Bank, PO Box 188, Clear Lake, WA 98235 .
Graveside Services with Military Honors will be held on Monday, September 13, 2010 at 11:00 AM at the Clear Lake Cemetery with Pastor Tim Hedberg of the Clear Lake Community Covenant Church officiating.
Visitation will be available on Saturday from 9am to 5pm with the McNair family greeting family & friends on Friday & Saturday evenings from 7 to 8 PM at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley.
When we are young, we vision ourselves with our friends later on in life with their kids and grandkids discussing old times talking over accomplishments and watching the young ones grow.
Although your life was not long, you left a very positive and lasting impression that sometimes takes people years to achieve. You had an impact on us that we will keep with us for the rest of our days. Your kindnss and generocity will be carried on! We will take it form here.
Thank you Tom, you will be missed.
I remember Tom as being helpful and kind. When people were getting teased or left out, Tom was usually the one who offered friendship and support. He knew what the right thing was long before many of us did in middle school when most of us were more concerned about being “cool” than with being kind. I am so sad to hear the news and hope that someday I will see Tom again when we get to wherever it is we are all going after this life is over with and the next adventure begins. Peace to you Tom. Your life was much too short and you will be missed by many.
TOM
I WILL NEVER STOP LOVING YOU OR MISSING YOU. I KNOW YOU ARE WITH OUR LORD AND NANA AND UNCLE BRUNO. UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN.
AUNT CAROL
Tom was a delightful man who always brought a smile to face, made me laugh and, for some inexplicable reason, enjoyed laughing at my silly jokes. We enjoyed talking with one another, sometimes over just being silly. I will miss you, Tom. In many way, you taught me how to be a better person. May you rest in eternal peace.
Dale Tarpenning,
Bellingham, WA
I met Tom when I joined the Clear Lake Fire Department 6 or 7 years ago. He was a smiling face and always willing to try and answer any question that I had as a new rookie. After Tom left the Fire Department, and I became more involved with the Clear Lake Community, I always saw Tom and talked to him at different functions within the community. Tom spent time helping me load up all the chairs and tables and take them back to the fire department after a funeral that was held at the Clear Lake Church. Tom didn’t have to, he volunteered to as that was just the type of guy he was. Tom was always volunteering his time and helping his neighbors and friends in the Clear Lake community. I also work at Fred Meyer and would see him like clockwork almost every Sunday at 2:30 in the afternoon as he volunteered his time to come down to Fred Meyer and pick up the Sunday donations for the Clear Lake Food Bank. Tom was always willing to get involved, he always had a smile on his face and I hope his family knows how appreciative the Clear Lake community is of Tom and how much good he did in his life for others by volunteering his time in his community. Tom, you will be missed. Rest in Peace my friend.
what can I say. Tom, you will be missed. We worked together at Bakerview Farms. Just last week you helped me get my round hay bales out of the field into the barns. always smiling, joking around. i will miss the 7am phone calls(maybe) hanging out at the farm with Ron and John. you were a fixture. i hope you have found peace. say hi to my dad and brother Ted. we will miss you. your friend. Ken Geertsma
I remember Tom and his family those years ago at Cascade Middle School and was delighted to
hear from him again some months ago on facebook. He was my friend. Through his service and community work, his good heart and friendship touched others. I am sad. My sympathy to all of you.
I AM STILL NUMB AND IN DISBELIEF. YOU WERE JUST HERE IN APRIL VISITING. TOM HAD A HEART OF GOLD AND WILL BE MISSED AND NEVER FORGOTTEN. HE’S ONE OF THOSE RARE PEOPLE THAT DIDN’T HAVE TO DO OR SAY ANYTHING SPECIAL BUT HIS TRUE, KIND & OPEN HEART TOUCHED EVERYONE THAT KNEW HIM.
went to school with tom and graduated with him, I remember him as being so friendly and always willing to help his peers, u will be missed,
Tom was an upperclassmate at Viewcrest Christian School. Didnt really get a chance to know him all that well, but do remember that he was always smiling. Now he can share his smile with the One that gave it to him. My deepest sympathies go to Tom’s family, he will be missed by so many!
So sorry to hear of Toms passing. Tom was always a smiling face in class at Viewcrest Christian School. My thoughts and prayers are with the McNair family.
I enjoyed having Tom as a student and athlete during his time at Cascade Middle School. His smile and positive attitude is what I remember most. He was proud to be from Clear Lake, being one of the boys.
I’m sorry for your loss.
Tom, you will be sorely missed, my time in the Army is finally over and I never kept in very good contact but we did stay in touch on and off. You are in a better place now but will be sorely missed. To my fellow military brother.
My condolances to the McNair family. You will be missed Tom. See you on the other side.
Tom- You will be greatly missed! I will always remember you staying at our house and being a big part of our family. You were one of my many “kids” who called me Mom and were always a part of our happy memories. You were my sons best friend and brother for 30 years and my daughter always felt she was blessed to have you as her “other brother”. From grade school to high school you were a constant, in our lives… When you joined the military and shipped out we held our breaths and prayed for your safe return. Michelle and her 3rd grade class wrote you letters. When you did come home we told Michelle you were coming and she waited by the window for hours watching for you and when you finally arrived she was so happy… We will all be reunited on the other side. Love you.
– Jacque
Tom was my brother Kyle’s best friend my entire life and I always called him my “other Brother”. I have so many happy memories of Tom and loved him very much. He was “uncle” to my kids and a beloved member of our family. I will miss him greatly.
Tom- You are in a good place now and I know you and my dad will watch over me until I join you. I love you. Rest In Peace!
-Mick
Tom you were my friend and brother since we were both 9 years old. Even though I will miss you terribly, I know you are in a better place. Take care my friend and I will see you on the other side.
We will miss Tom here in Clear Lake. He was a frequent visitor at Industrial Resources and a friend of the entire community.
Living in Clear Lake growing up as a kid and graduating with Tom in 1989, I remember Tom as a kind person with compassion for everyone around him. I send my condolences to his family. Sorry for your loss.
I graduated with Tom. He never had a bad word to say about anyone. You will be missed my friend, sorry we didn’t stay in touch after school. RIP Tom.
Tom is the first student I have ever had that passed away. I’ll always remember his special smile
and gentle ways while at Viewcrest Christian School. What a fine young man he was! God called him
home–his work here on earth was done. Blessings on the family, to Barb especially. With sympathy.
I’m glad to have known you Tom, you will be missed.