William Thomas (Tom) Tonge

SEABECK - William Thomas (Tom) Tonge, 89, of Seabeck, WA, passed away on February 23, 2024. Born on October 25, 1934 in Seattle, WA to William and Alice Lucille (Venard) Tonge, Tom went on to graduate from Central Kitsap high School and join the US Army in 1954. He served with honor until 1956, where he was stationed in Japan during the Korean War. He married Marjorie Signe Swanson on September 9, 1956 in Bremerton, WA. After serving in the Army, Tom worked for The Boeing Company as an aircraft mechanic for several years. He then struck out on his own as a painter and general contractor before ending his working career in facilities maintenance, retiring after 20 years with the CK School District. Tom enjoyed backpacking and mountain climbing with his wife and family. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was known for his fine woodworking and finish carpentry. Tom learned to play the bass fiddle in his 40s. Marjorie was an excellent fiddle player, and they and their friends created and played in two fiddle bands named Clover Blossom Band and Kitsap Konnection. Tom will always be remembered most fondly for being ready with a joke and a smile. He wanted everyone to be happy. Tom is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marjorie; and son, Chris. Tom’s memory will live on with his son, Carl and his wife Wendy, and daughter-in-law, Marlys Tonge, as well as 4 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. A private celebration of life service will be held in March. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Central Kitsap Food Bank 3537 NW Anderson Hill Rd, Silverdale, WA 98383. An online memorial can be seen at www.lewischapel.com