Thomas "TOMMY" Alfred Rousseau

ROUSSEAU, Thomas A. “TOMMY” (age 92) – In the always changing game of life, Tommy recently came to bat in the final inning trailing and facing a formidable foe. True to his nature he did not go down without a fight, sliding head first into home to try and keep the game alive. Sadly he didn’t quite beat the throw. Tommy played the game for 91 years young and 1 year old. Born in Dearborn, Michigan on November 20, 1925, Tommy truly filled his 92 years with many accomplishments, achievements, and accolades, mostly for the other guy. As a child, Tommy grew up with many of the depression era events common to many. Uncommon to many, was the way he took them on. As a five year old, he was already out finding ways to contribute to the family. Living all of his childhood years in Dearborn, he found more new and creative ways to help until his graduation from Fordson High School in 1943. Being too young to enlist in the military, he headed off to New York City and enrolled in the New York Institute of Photography to pursue another lifelong passion. From there the pace quickened and he didn’t slow for the next 70 years. While in New York, Tommy met and very soon married Charlotte Ake. Together they raised three children, with him today, as he moved through the game of life: Tom (Sandi) Rousseau of Hood River, Oregon, Curly (Lori) Rousseau, and Jan (Gary) Pierce both of Spokane. From them came six fabulous grandchildren in order: Mickey Rousseau, Tamara Allen, David Rousseau, Matthew Pierce, Michelle Nexon, and Michael Pierce. It was also from New York that Tommy embarked on some of his most proud times as he became a member of the United States Marine Corps. When serving his country, Tommy put his photography skills to work as a Marine Corps photographer. As he put it “The other boys carried weapons while I carried a camera.” He served during the final days of WWII and again during the Korean Conflict. His skills even then became somewhat legendary. After 12 years, he knew it was time to move on. Settling in the Spokane Valley, Tommy had several business ventures most notably in the home delivery milk business as one of the original partners of Van’s Milk. Sensing a cultural shift, he began an insurance agency out of the home basement in 1963, laying the foundation for great things to come. In 1976, son-in-law, Gary Pierce teamed up with Tommy and they created one of the most successful insurance agencies in the Spokane area. With Gary’s assistance, Tommy, was able to move onto the love and passion of his life – working with the Shrine Hospitals for Children. As a member of the El Katif Shriners Temple, he became a legend in the organization. To this day, he remains as the only member of El Katif to have attained Imperial Status (worldwide position), being appointed Imperial Photographer, a position he held for nearly 30 years. His work is unmatched. During these years, life threw a couple of curve balls his way and some changes. Being who he was, he of course turned those into positives. He met and fell in love again with Peggy Peck of Chewelah, Washington, and they married spending his last 40 years with her, and of course, with open arms to her children: Gary (Carol Ann) Peck of Chewelah, Randy Peck of Salt Lake City, Gail (Floyd) Turner of Eugene, Oregon, and Robert (Paula) Peck of Boise, Idaho. Tommy also found time, in his years prior to his commitment to the Shrine, to be an amazing community spirit. Living in the Edgecliff area of Spokane Valley, he was able to : Start Cub Scout Pack 125, Serve on the Pratt School PTA (where he was awarded the prestigious Golden Acorn), help build from the ground up Edgecliff Community Park, coach at three different levels of little league baseball, organize and direct the Libby Jr. High annual carnival, and sponsor countless recreation league sports for both men and women, boys and girls in baseball, basketball, bowling, and even the Silver Spurs dance group. And to the people of the Spokane Valley, his Sprague Avenue reader boards were somewhat iconic. On January 10th, Tommy finished his game here on earth and has embarked on his next venture. A truly remarkable man will most likely make his mark on more time. Tommy will lie in honor, allowing a final viewing for family and friends on Monday and Tuesday, January 15 & 16, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at RIPLINGER FUNERAL HOME, 4305 N DIVISION, SPOKANE, WA. A Funeral Service will be conducted on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the El Katif Shrine Event Center Auditorium, 7217 W. Westbow Blvd, Spokane, WA with Rose Croix Masonic participation. A Committal and Military Honors will be take place at 2:15 PM at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, 21702 W Espanola Rd, Medical Lake, WA. Those wishing to honor Tommy’s commitment to Shriners Hospitals for Children, are encouraged to make memorial contributions to: Shriners Hospital for Children- Spokane Unit, POB 2472, Spokane, WA 99210.