Walsh, Thomas E.

Thomas E. Walsh, 64, of Iowa City, died Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, with burial to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery where military honors will be provided. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in his memory.

Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web at .

Tom was born May 3, 1947, in Iowa City, the son of Jim and Ida Walsh. He grew up in Iowa City attending schools there, but before he graduated from high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he finished his high school education. He honorably served his country during the Vietnam War aboard the USS Stormes as a culinary specialist. Tom performed other duties aboard the ship above and beyond his chosen rate, during his enlistment which began in 1965 and ended in 1969. Tom married Janet O'Leary on Iowa City on June 20, 1967, in Elizabeth, N.C. While serving in foreign waters, their first of two children was born.

Following his enlistment in the Navy, Tom and his family moved to Gary, Ind., where he worked as a union welder in a local steel mill. Tom and Janet's youngest son was born. In the 1980s they decided to move their young family to the Iowa City area. Here Tom held various positions in the construction industry, until his retirement in 2009. Following retirement, he worked part time for different taxi companies around Iowa City.

His family includes his wife, Janet; son, Raymond Walsh (Dawn); daughter, Laura Walsh (Jim Russell); 10 grandchildren; 11 siblings; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was greeted in heaven by his parents, two siblings and one niece.

Published in The Gazette Oct. 19, 2011.