Thomas Chukas

THOMAS CHUKAS

Cedar Rapids

Thomas J. Chukas, 90, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away Friday, Jan. 23, 2015, in Sun Lakes, Ariz., surrounded by his loving family.

Tom was born July 6, 1924, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of James and Blanche Lee Chukas. After graduating from Wilson High School in Cedar Rapids, Tom enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and saw active duty in the Pacific theater on the islands of Saipan and Tinian during World War II. He served as a part of the Fourth Marine Division, First JASCo. After being seriously wounded in the battle for Tinian, Tom was awarded the Purple Heart. Tom maintained his connection to the Marine Corps through his membership in Chapter 33 of the Fourth Marine Division Association in Phoenix, Ariz. A USMC flag flies proudly in the yard of Tom's residence and his automobile license plate commemorates the receipt of his Purple Heart.

Tom met the love of his life, Betty L. Pruess, in 1946, and they were married on Aug. 31, 1948, in St. Louis, Mo. They raised one son, Rick, currently living in Nashville, Tenn.

Tom was employed by The Cedar Rapids Gazette for 42 years where he retired in 1988 as advertising director.

Tom was very active in civic and community affairs in Cedar Rapids. He served in a number of different capacities including member of the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Cedar Rapids City Planning Commission, chairman of the Cedar Rapids Convention and Visitors Bureau, president of the EXX Club, two term Iowa State vice president of International Newspaper Advertising & Marketing Executives, longtime member of the Iowa Daily Press Association, director of Elmcrest Country Club, commodore of Cedar Boat Club and member of American Legion.

Tom and Betty moved to Arizona in 1988 and enjoyed a lively lifestyle that included golf, travel, their family and friends. Tom's passion for golf was second only to his love of his family.

Tom will forever be remembered as a good man with wisdom, a belief in doing things the "right" way, an unrelenting "zest" for life and his unconditional love for his family.

Tom is survived by his wife of 66 years, Betty of Sun Lakes, Ariz.; son, Rick and daughter-in-law, Julie; grandchildren, Alexandra and Nick of Park City, Utah; sister, Evangeline Claude (Lee) of Cedar Rapids; brother, Paul Chukas of Orinda, Calif.; brother-in-law, Joe Pruess (Pam) of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, at Messinger Mortuary, 7601 E. Indian School Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251. After services, a Celebration of Life reception will be held at the home of Pam and Joe Pruess. A private placement of the urn will take place before services at Paradise Memorial Gardens in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The family requests, in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in Tom's memory to Hospice of the Valley, Fund Development, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014; or to the American Heart Association.

The family wishes to extend a very special thank you to the members of the Sun Lakes Fire Department, the doctors and staff of Chandler Regional Memorial Hospital and the caregivers of Hospice of the Valley Dobson Home for the wonderfully compassionate and professional care provided Tom and his family.