He was born on Jan. 9, 1929 in Bayard, Neb., to Thomas Sr. and Mary Ann Clary Croxen. Tom was raised in Nebraska and Idaho. He joined the United States Navy and served in Japan during World War II until his honorable discharge. Tom returned to Nampa, Idaho and worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a diesel mechanic until retiring in 1969. He then moved to Madras and then to Umatilla in 1974. Tom worked as a diesel mechanic for Lamb Weston for several years until retiring in 1987. He married Jean Simonis on Feb. 14, 1993 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tom was a longtime member of the Masonic Lodge and the Elks Lodge. He enjoyed rodeo, golfing, bowling, and working in his yard.
He is survived by his wife: Jean Croxen, Hermiston, OR; children: Tom L. Croxen and Bobby D. Croxen, both of Nampa, ID, Earl Odell, Katy, TX, Stephen Hankins, Sugar Land, TX, Ed Caviness, Nampa, ID, Gary Caviness, Troutdale, OR, John Caviness, Milwaukie, OR, D’Vorah Hasheeve, Bellaire, TX, Patti Hankins, Umatilla, OR, & Sherrill Caviness; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Dick Croxen, 2 infant brothers; sisters: Elizabeth Allen & Twyla Lyons.
A celebration of life service with military honors will be held on Monday, June 16, 2014 at 1 p.m. at Burns Mortuary Chapel in Hermiston.
Those who wish may make contributions in Tom’s memory to the Oregon affiliate of the American Heart Association, 1200 NW Naito Parkway, Suite 220, Portland, OR 97209.
Please sign the condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
