Thomas D. O'Loughlin 1922 - 2008

Tom was born in Baker, Montana on November 25, 1922 and passed away December 15, 2008. After spending his childhood in Baker, the family moved to Billings in 1937 where he graduated from Billings High School in 1941. Tom attended the University of Portland for one year and then found his true calling as a Merchant Marine. He had been working in construction and going to college when he met someone who told him there were opportunities to travel and make good money going to sea. His first ship was the S/S Peter Skene Ogden in 1942 where he signed on as a Wiper. He continued to ship out throughout World War II eventually earning a First Engineer's license.

Tom went back to school at Gonzaga University in Spokane and graduated in 1950 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He went back to sea, shipping out from San Francisco, California and worked Intercoastal from 1950 to 1954. Tom met Jean Bonnet at the Vivian Laird, a bar popular with serviceman in 1952. Tom and Jean were married two years later in Chino, California and moved to Butte, Montana where Tom worked as a machine parts salesman. In 1956, they relocated to Southern California where Tom worked in the aerospace industry from 1956 to 1966 and retired from California State University at Fullerton in 1984. Tom and Jean moved to Cottonwood, Arizona in 1995 where they were actively involved with the Arizona Flywheelers, Benevolent and Protecti ve Order of the Elks and Clemenceau Historical Museum.

Tom's family includes his wife, Jean, his children, Amy O'Loughin (Kip Teaford), Bill O'Loughin(Kathi), Mary O'Loughin, Jim O'Loughin (Solange)and John O'Loughin (Janel Sugiyama), 10 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, brother and sister-in-law, Howard and Zita and brother-in-law, Dean Whitmore along with many nieces and nephews.

Tom's daughter, Amy O'Loughlin, class of 1978 and son-in-law, Kip Teaford, class of 1976 attended Gonzaga as well as their son, Taylor Teaford, class of 2010.

Contributions can be made to the SS Lane Victory, PO Box 629, San Pedro, CA 90733-0629, Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014 or charity of your choice. An Irish Wake is being planned for March 2009 and when finalized, details will be announced.

Information provided by family members.