Thomas “TJ” Tomjack passed away the morning of December 1, 2023. Tom endured a 10 year battle with Parkinsons and dementia, encouraging others by saying “You play the cards you’ve been dealt.” He is now reunited in heaven with many friends and loved ones including his father Joe Tomjack, his mother Lillian Tomjack, brother Ben Tomjack and his precious granddaughter Megan Rose Thomas.

Tom was the definition of an independent spirit. He was a man who lived life to the fullest and had many close friends who can attest to his incredible work ethic, his love of adventure and his good-natured teasing. He always had a story to make you laugh and nothing was off limits. He talked about his square thumbs, his bird hunting adventures, his Polish heritage and his fabled stint in the Canadian Mounted Police. A passionate sports enthusiast, Tom played as center on Notre Dame’s first rugby team.

Tom’s professional journey was diverse and accomplished, he excelled as a CPA, futures broker, CFO, CEO, and served on various Boards. His commitment to excellence was driven by his desire to provide for his family. Tom joined North Pacific Group in 1985 and was CEO and chairman at the time of his retirement. Earlier, he worked in various capacities for the Potlatch Corporation and KPMG Peat Marwick. He was raised in Medford Oregon and received his degree from the University of Notre Dame. He had significant involvement in the wood products industry, including service from 1989 through 2005 as a board member and ultimately chairman of NAWLA, the North American Wholesale Lumber Association. He was the 2007 NAWLA Mulrooney Award recipient for his contributions to the forest industry and community. He served as a board member for the American Forest and Paper Association and as chairman of the American Wood Council. He is a past trustee of Pacific University and the Board of Regents for the University of Portland. He was also vice chairman of the board of Capital Pacific Bank, chairman of Vehrs, Inc. and on the board of Acme Manufacturing.

Tom loved to travel, and he and Mary and family took many trips over the years. As a father and mentor, he encouraged his three daughters to follow in his footsteps as CPAs. As a dad and grandad, he came alongside his girls and his grandchildren to ski, boat, raft, hunt, fish, golf, and make countless memories on the John Day River and the Oregon Coast. Tom spent many hours on the sidelines of football, basketball and softball games watching his daughters and grandchildren play and attending many college games with them. He competed in Hood to Coast races on foot and Seattle to Portland races on his bicycle. He loved Sunday drives, he was King of Shortcuts, he made many “grandad pancakes” breakfasts with his “special ingredients” and spent hours on the ORV teaching his kids and grandkids how to drive.

One of Toms enduring legacies is his long-lasting friendships. In 1970, he joined a partnership that owned a ranch in central Oregon, for the purpose of bird hunting, hiking the hills, playing cribbage, sharing stories around the campfire and having at least one annual ‘bad-boys’ weekend. A member of the Bend Porsche club, Tom loved touring the northwest, exploring backroads, and sampling wineries and restaurants. Many of his business associates became lifelong friends, friends to travel with, hunt with and live on the edge with. Even at a distance, they kept in touch over the years spending quality time in the ways they could to keep the good times going.

Tom leaves behind his childhood sweetheart and wife of 60 years Mary, and his faithful dog Gabi. He has three daughters, Betsy Kersey (Don), Missy Pohjola (Don) and Cari Thomas, six grandchildren Hannah Atacador (Mario), Michael Thomas, Sarah Kersey, Hayden Kersey, Wil Kersey and Jack Thomas, one sister Nancy Polnoff and one sister-in- law Donna Tomjack. Special thanks to his caregivers Kim and Marge who watched many football and basketball games with him and made his last months brighter.

Memorial Services will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers and gifts, TJ would want each of you to go on an adventure you enjoy and during the time think of a special memory of him, smile at a story he once told you and know in your heart that he is raising his glass to you. Arrangements were entrusted to Autumn Funerals Bend where you can share your memories online. We love you forever Tom, Dad, Grandad and we thank you for all your years of love and provision. You had so much spirit and energy and it comforts us to know you are free again. We will miss your larger than life presence in our lives. Rest well.