1946
Thomas
2018
Thomas John Deer
March 4, 1946 — August 25, 2018
Thomas John Deer, born March 4, 1946, to the late Martin Weekly Deer and Beatrice Mae Johnson, passed away on August 25, 2018, surrounded by loved ones.
Tom graduated from East High School in 1964 at a time when senior pranks were rampant and the legal drinking age was 18. Too smart for his own britches, he left UW-Madison and returned to Green Bay to help with the family business. Tom worked for, and later owned, Mac's Hydraulics for over 50 years, spouting part numbers and schematics off the top of his head.
In addition to working the grind, Tom lived the dream golfing, grilling, reading, playing cards, and giving back to the community. He was an active member of the Bellevue East Town Optimist for 37 years. Helping people was just part of who Tom was. If you asked, he'd give you the shirt off his back, though it probably wouldn't fit, skinny as he was. There was nothing he loved more than bringing a smile to someone's face, whether a waitress at a restaurant, a customer holding a broken jack, a neighbor, friend, or family member.
In 2008, Tom was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and tuberculosis. He beat that back-to-back double health whammy and was gifted another 10 years in which he witnessed four more of his children and grandchildrens' weddings and the birth of four more grandchildren.
His smile and spirit live on in the family he created. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Debra (Smits) Deer and the following combined children: Kerry Jon Deer, Jim Petitjean (Denise), Andy Deer (Stacey), Terri Jo Ascher (Erik), Sarah Staeven (Andy), Becky Phillips (Brian), Amanda Deer (Sam Trones). His legacy continues with his grandchildren: Timothy Detiege (Laina and great granddaughter, Zoey), Tyler Petitjean (Amber), Sabrina Maar, Amber Maar, Jordan Petitjean (Brett Fitzgerald), Brady Phillips, Isabella Staeven, Elizabeth Phillips, and Jackson Trones. Tom is further survived by his brother, Howard; father and mother in-law, Merlin and Junella Smits; many nieces, nephews, brother and sister in-laws, other relatives, friends, and fellow Optimist members.
Special thanks to the Aurora Baycare Medical doctors, nurses, and staff for their empathetic care and concern for Tom and his family.
In lieu of flowers, any monetary donations will be given to the Optimist International Foundation in Tom's name. Reading was Tom's passion and if you feel moved to do so, any donations of new children's books will find homes in the hands of kids in the Green Bay Area.
Family and friends may gather Wednesday, August 29th from 3-7pm at Woodland Church, 760 Airport Drive, Hobart, WI 54155.
Tom graduated from East High School in 1964 at a time when senior pranks were rampant and the legal drinking age was 18. Too smart for his own britches, he left UW-Madison and returned to Green Bay to help with the family business. Tom worked for, and later owned, Mac's Hydraulics for over 50 years, spouting part numbers and schematics off the top of his head.
In addition to working the grind, Tom lived the dream golfing, grilling, reading, playing cards, and giving back to the community. He was an active member of the Bellevue East Town Optimist for 37 years. Helping people was just part of who Tom was. If you asked, he'd give you the shirt off his back, though it probably wouldn't fit, skinny as he was. There was nothing he loved more than bringing a smile to someone's face, whether a waitress at a restaurant, a customer holding a broken jack, a neighbor, friend, or family member.
In 2008, Tom was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and tuberculosis. He beat that back-to-back double health whammy and was gifted another 10 years in which he witnessed four more of his children and grandchildrens' weddings and the birth of four more grandchildren.
His smile and spirit live on in the family he created. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Debra (Smits) Deer and the following combined children: Kerry Jon Deer, Jim Petitjean (Denise), Andy Deer (Stacey), Terri Jo Ascher (Erik), Sarah Staeven (Andy), Becky Phillips (Brian), Amanda Deer (Sam Trones). His legacy continues with his grandchildren: Timothy Detiege (Laina and great granddaughter, Zoey), Tyler Petitjean (Amber), Sabrina Maar, Amber Maar, Jordan Petitjean (Brett Fitzgerald), Brady Phillips, Isabella Staeven, Elizabeth Phillips, and Jackson Trones. Tom is further survived by his brother, Howard; father and mother in-law, Merlin and Junella Smits; many nieces, nephews, brother and sister in-laws, other relatives, friends, and fellow Optimist members.
Special thanks to the Aurora Baycare Medical doctors, nurses, and staff for their empathetic care and concern for Tom and his family.
In lieu of flowers, any monetary donations will be given to the Optimist International Foundation in Tom's name. Reading was Tom's passion and if you feel moved to do so, any donations of new children's books will find homes in the hands of kids in the Green Bay Area.
Family and friends may gather Wednesday, August 29th from 3-7pm at Woodland Church, 760 Airport Drive, Hobart, WI 54155.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas John Deer, please visit our flower store.
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