Thomas R. Zurfluh

Obituary Thomas R. Zurfluh, 79 a lifetime area resident died October 31, 2006. He was born in Tacoma and grew up in the Steilacoom area, He was a member of the Clover Park High School Class of 1945, a WWII Army Veteran, and served in Japan, and in General MacArthur's Honor Guard. After the war Tom returned to the area and completed his education graduating from P.L.U. with a degree in education. He went on to teach in the University Place School District for 17 years. During that time he served as the first basketball coach at Curtis High School. After teaching in University Place he transferred to the Steilacoom School district where he taught at Pioneer Elementary, the same school he attended from first to eighth grade. Tom continued to work in the Steilacoom district, as a teacher, principal and athletic director both at Pioneer and Steilacoom High School, until his retirement in 1988. Tom was inducted into the Pierce County Sports Hall of Fame, for his amateur softball career, he was a charter member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, a member of the Tacoma Elks Lodge #174 and an avid gardener. Tom is survived by his wife of 55 years, Bonnie; children, Paul (Glenda) Zurfluh, Patricia Fife, Thomas (Kelly) Zurfluh, Timothy Zurfluh, Marianne (John) Russell, and David Zurfluh. He is also survived by his brother, Robert (Susie) Zurfluh; sisters, Mary Rash, Jean (Les) James; grandchildren, Ti and Mike Zurfluh, Krista and Erica Fife, Gregory, Chelsey and Sara Zurfluh, Rachel Russell as well as numerous loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Sally Hale, granddaughter Sandra, and a brother, Don. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, November 6, 2006 10:30 am St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Interment Calvary Cemetery