Thomas James Brassfield Sr. , 89, passed away at the Anchorage Pioneer Home on February 1, 2012. Thomas was born in Davis, Oklahoma on May 18, 1922 to Jim and Ida Brassfield. Tom Sr. grew up on a small farm where he acquired his lifelong skills of "hard work ethics" and "good old common sense". After graduating from high school in 1940 he moved to Southern California where several of his older brothers and sisters resided. Thomas met the love of his life Eleanor Vogel in Bell, CA and joined the Navy Aviation in the early days of WWII. He trained and flew as a Plane Captain in the South Pacific, spending two hitches overseas flying PBY's supporting the Allied campaign. Thomas married his beloved Eleanor in 1944 before leaving on his second tour. Eleanor was the classic Rosie-the-Riverter while Tom Sr. was overseas and worked as a welder on the Liberty ships supporting the war efforts.

After the war, Tom Sr. went to work for Smith Tool Co. as a machinist and retired as the Manager of Manufacturing after 30+ years. He lived in Whittier CA until retirement and then moved to Hemet, CA. Hobbies included building (homes, campers, furniture), water skiing on the Colorado River, building & riding dune buggies in the desert, and traveling in his motor home throughout the US. His most favorite pastime and fondest memories revolved around trout fishing the Pacific NW and salmon/halibut fishing in Alaska. Tom Sr. moved to Anchorage in 2005 after his Eleanor passed away in 2004.

Tom Sr. was preceded in death by seven siblings. He is survived by one sister, Jerrie Wilson of Hemet CA; son and daughter-in-law, Tom & Carol Brassfield of Anchorage, AK; and granddaughter Amanda Brassfield of Bellingham, WA.

Thanks to all the Caregivers who look after us and our loved ones during life's journey. A special thanks to the Staff at the Anchorage Pioneer Home who made Tom Sr.'s battle with dementia tolerable and dignified. God Bless and God's speed. Amen.

Thomas will be buried with Eleanor at the Riverside National Cemetery in CA.