On Monday July 5, 2010 a wonderful loving man went to heaven to join his beloved wife Arlene. Tom passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side.
Tom was born to James and Frances DeLon in Miles City, Montana. He was raised in Portland Oregon and graduated from Washington High School. After graduation he entered the United States Army.
He as always had a passion and love for cars. In his younger years he built and raced them.
Tom was active in the community. He held an annual golf tournament at Salem Town. He was a strong supporter of United Good Way and a member of the Salem Chamber of Commerce. He belonged to Illahe Country Club, Olympic Cruising Club, Desert Horizon Country Club and Columbia River Yacht Club where he was the Commodore in 1985. He was also a member of Salem New Car Dealers Assoc., Portland New Car Dealers Association, Oregon Auto Dealers Assoc. and National Auto Dealers Assoc. He served on the Presidents Counsel for each of his auto franchises.
Tom and Arlene were married in September 1973. They traveled extensively and enjoyed their travels by land, sea and air with family and friends. Together they were very active in boating during the summer months. The Starfire Yacht was a second home to them and their children, grandchildren and friends. On the Starfire they traveled down the Columbia River to the San Juan Islands and Canada for many years.
They also loved their time in Maui where the grandchildren visited and spent time with Nana and PaPa Tom. For the last 14 years they have spent most of the winter months enjoying the sunny warm weather at their home in Indian Wells, California.
Arlene his wife of 38 years passed away August of 2009.
Tom owned and operated DeLon Auto Center for almost 50 years. His franchises thru the years included: Honda, Volkswagen, BMW, Mitsubishi, Volvo, Mazda, Peugeot, Suzuki, Porsche and Oldsmobile.
He took great pride in his dealerships. He was a very fair and honest man that deeply appreciated his loyal employees. Tom will always be remembered and highly respected for his high standards of life.
His family would like to thank all his wonderful friends for their support, visits, calls and cards. A special thank you to JP, Katrine and all the great staff at Willamette Valley Hospice. We could not have made it thru this journey without you.
Tom is preceded in death by his amazing wife, Arlene; his parents, James and Frances DeLon; his brother-in-law, Ralph Hammack; sister-in-law, Patricia Magoon; son-in-law, Reginald (Reg) Shires; granddaughter, Julie Shires and grandson, Jeffrey Flager.
He is survived by: daughter, Carol Shires and Son, Gary Flager (Gloria); sister Joy Barnette; sister-in-law, Bettye Hammack; brother-in-law James Magoon; his loving dog “Sophie”; grandchildren, Scott Shires, Lisa Shires, Jodie Domrude, Jayson, Bryan, Aaron, Joseph and Julie Flager; great granchildren, Lacie Shires, Sammy Hernandez, Trestton Shires, Julie Domrude and Jamie Domrude, Emily, Samantha, Sydney and Luke Flager; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at 12:30 PM on Monday, July 12, 2010 at Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service with a celebration of life at Rudy’s at Salem Golf Club. There will be a private interment at Belcrest Memorial Park. Contributions may be made in his name to Willamette Valley Hospice, 1015 3rd Street NW, Salem, OR 97304.
“I know you and mom are together again, which is all you really wanted. Please know how much you are loved and will be missed. You are forever in you hearts.
Love you, “C”.