Thomas Anthony

Thomas A. Anthony, 89, lifetime Kittitas Valley resident, passed away at the Yakima Regional Hospital on Wednesday, November 14, 2018. A graveside service with military honors was held at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at High Valley Cemetery. A reception followed at 1:00 p.m. at the Ellensburg American Legion Hall.

Tom was born on November 25, 1928 in Watseka, Illinois to George & Jennetta (Clark) Anthony. When he was 9, the family moved to Ellensburg where his father had found work. After taking a year off from school to work in his father's place after an accident, Tom graduated from Ellensburg High School in 1948. In 1950, Tom was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and served time overseas in France as a heavy equipment operator. He was honorably discharged in 1952. After his discharge, Tom worked for a few years at a sawmill in Newport, Washington before returning home to Ellensburg to work as an independent truck driver for hire. He eventually sold his truck and went to work for Ward-Rugh, driving for them for 25 years before his retirement in 1993. After retirement, Tom kept his CDL active and was a "fair weather driver" for George Rominger when he needed an extra hand.

Tom met Shirley Weisbeck in 1960 while she was working as waitress at Mabel's Café, a favorite place for truckers to stop in Ellensburg. The two hit it off and married in Cle Elum on October 6, 1962. They were blessed with two sons - Shane & Mark - and made their home in Kittitas. Tom was a member of the Kittitas County Early Iron Club and thoroughly enjoyed the time he spent restoring tractors with his friends. He also enjoyed participating in the annual Threshing Bee. He will be remembered and missed by all who knew him.

Tom is survived by his wife of 56 years, Shirley, at the family home in Kittitas; sons Shane (Gerilynn) Anthony of Seattle and Mark Anthony of Kittitas; grandchildren Nicolas, Alex, Aubrey, Kellen and Sophia as well as sisters, Virgie (Gail) Sliger and Marilyn (Bob) Edwards. Tom was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Maxine Wilson, Lauretta Flink, Jenny Johnson and Thelma Martin and brothers Murel Anthony and Leonard Anthony. Memorial contributions in Tom's honor are suggested to the Kittitas County Early Iron Club, c/o Rob Jordan, 1 Red Mountain Drive, Ellensburg, WA 98926. Steward & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Ellensburg has been entrusted with caring for Tom's family. Online condolences may be left at www.steward-williams.com