Obituary
Thomas “Tom” Wasgatt was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota as the eighth child out of ten to David and Jennie. Siblings Betty, David, Barbara, Margaret, Diane, Nancy, Suzanna, Steven, and Kate acted as both surrogate parents and playmates as he grew up in Orono and Long Lake, Minnesota. There he acquired a love for old cars and learned how to fix things by taking them apart and putting them back together. He would go on to become a golf course groundskeeper, self-taught expert auto mechanic, and Long Lake Volunteer Fire Department member. After moving to Phoenix, Arizona in 1977, he continued working in the golf course industry before opening his own business, Tom’s Automotive. Working side by side with one of his best friends, he became known as the most honest mechanic anyone ever met. His love for airplanes took him to various aviation companies and Goodyear Airport before he settled into a long career at America West Airlines / US Airways. When he was not working, he enjoyed attending car and air shows, practicing his faith, woodworking, and tinkering in the garage. Tom had the ability to make an impression on everyone he came into contact with. He will be remembered for his hearty laugh, ability to tell crazy stories, quiet acts of kindness, overwhelming generosity, positive outlook on life, and most of all, his amazing sense of humor. His wife of 48 years, Dianne, and his five children, seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and the rest of his loving family will miss him dearly. A celebration of his life featuring a classic car show will be scheduled in Phoenix very soon. The family will also be planning a celebration in his beloved Minnesota in the new year. In the meantime, please share your memories and photos to help tell Tom’s 80 year story. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Hospice of the Valley - Phoenix (www.hov.org) in Tom’s memory. Please send special thoughts and prayers to Debbie, Bill, Alex, Nicholas, Jenny, Kevin, Bridget, Zach, Paul, Toni, Matt, Felicia, Weston, Heather, Nathan, Melanie, Dusty, Thomas, Betty, Elizabeth, David, Zoey, and the entire Wasgatt family. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Hospice of the Valley-Phoenix in Tom's memory (www.hov.org).
Events
11:00 AM - 02:00 PM
Glendale, AZ 85308