Thomas R. Custer

Thomas R. Custer One of the truly good guys, a loving brother, husband, father, grandfather and uncle died peacefully January 13, 2010 after an extended illness. Tom was born October 9, 1927, in Sterling, Pennsylvania. He was the oldest of ten children born to Claire and Virginia Custer. Tom left high school to enlist in the Army Air Corps where he served in the 501st Signal Corps until his discharge in 1948. He returned home and with his keen interest in electronics took a job with Roods Radio Shop where he honed his skills: tearing down and repairing radios and putting them back together. In the 60's Tom began his lengthy career in Federal Service as a Communications Specialist with STRATCOM assigned to the Pentagon. In 1967 the entire department was moved to Fort Huachuca landing him in Tucson. His duties would take him all over the world. He ended his career in Civil Service after 32 years, retiring in 1980. Still a young man with lots of energy and enthusiasm, he went to work as a computer technician for Computerland once again tearing things down, fixing them and putting them back together. He worked there until it's closing. Still not one to just sit around, Tom accepted a position as a Communication Specialist at the University of Arizona. He REALLY finally retired in 2005. An avid amateur radio operator most of his life as W7ZBS, Tom spent countless hours talking to people in countries on all continents of the world. He was a member of a large HAM radio group here in Tucson. His other interests included amateur photography, computer technology, genealogy and music. He loved the Big Band sounds and easy listening tunes and could spend all day listening to artists like Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. He was also fascinated by the organ. Not only could he play organ but was involved in the restoration of a huge pipe organ here in Tucson. He was a member of the American Theater Organ Society. The love of music and the organ led him to his real love, Evie. She was a popular organist and nightclub entertainer in the 60's and 70's. They were married June 19, 1978. Tom was predeceased by his parents, his first wife Betty and two sisters Virginia and Almeta. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Evie; Richard, his son from a previous marriage; two brothers, Lew (Linda), Jerry (Karen) and four sisters, Jeanette, Rella, Barb (Harold), Carol and Pam. He has two stepchildren, Vicki Fields and Timothy Clark; four grandchildren, Jason Clark, Teri Venheusen (Sam), Alison Brungraber (Mike), and Matthew Clark. He was thrilled at the addition of his first great-grandchild, Bradley Brungraber. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel. Interment will be planned for a later date at Southwest Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, Sierra Vista, Az. Tom, we love you and you will be missed by all, but never forgotten.