Walter Thomas “Tom” Michel passed away peacefully at the age of 89 on April 15, 2024 at his home in Walnut Grove, California. Tom was born in Hollister, Missouri on November 21,1934 to parents Walter and Lois Michel. When he was two years old, his family escaped the Great Depression and made their way to Sacramento, California, where Tom enjoyed an idyllic childhood, filled with outdoor adventures. He developed a love of motorcycles at a young age and started racing in his late teens. He especially loved the long enduro races through the desert. He was a very skilled rider, and has many trophies to prove it! Tom graduated from Grant Union High School in 1952 and obtained an Associate of Arts Degree from Stockton College. He was an expert marksman during U.S. Army Basic Training and a Reservist for six years.
After a brief stint with the Stockton Fire Department, Tom went to work as an Assistant Engineer at Aerojet in Rancho Cordova, where he met his future wife, Carolyn Butler. They married in April 1960 and were blessed with three children, Kelli, Tommy and Kristen. In 1969, Tom went to work for the Weights and Measures Division of the State of California, where he wore many hats. Much of his time was spent traveling up and down the state on various projects. As he liked to say, “He knew the territory!” He ended his 28-year career in 1997, retiring as a Supervising Specialist.
Tom maintained contact with a large circle of close friends dating back to his early childhood. For many years, he and Carolyn were members of the Cal-Tex Motorcycle Club, where they made many friends and enjoyed traveling “on two wheels” throughout the United States and Canada. Tom was a lifetime member of the Stockton Motorcycle Club. Prior to retirement and beyond, he enjoyed playing ball with the Golden Seniors Softball Club of Sacramento. Tom loved the Sierra Nevada mountains, where he could fish the streams and backpack through the high country.
After a 34-year marriage, Tom and Carolyn divorced. It was then that Tom was introduced to Lauren Tholborn, the daughter of one of his long-time friends. They instantly “clicked,” and were married in December 1995. Lauren brought her 10-year old son Casey into the marriage, and Tom embraced him as his own, sharing with him his love of the outdoors. Though no longer married, Tom and Lauren remained the very best of friends.
Tom will be deeply missed, but we take comfort in knowing that he is with his Lord and Savior. He is survived by his sister Phyllis Byouk and brother Chet Michel; his children Kelli Whittaker (Mark), Tom Michel Jr. (Lena) and Kristen Mackey, and their mother Carolyn McAllister; stepson Casey Tholborn (Mandi); 16 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; and, his soulmate Lauren Michel.
Services
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 10, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 444 N. American Street, Stockton, California, with a luncheon to follow at the church. Following lunch, Committal will take place at Sierra View Mausoleum at Cherokee Memorial Park, Lodi, California.
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Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Michel family.