Thomas E. “Tom” Wells of Hermiston died on June 2, 2026 in Portland at the age of 75.
He was born on Sept. 30, 1950 in Pendleton to Earl Eugene Wells and Faye Lorraine Dodge Wells, both of Hermiston.
Tom attended school in Hermiston until the family moved to Ukiah in 1959. He attended school in Ukiah until his family moved back to Hermiston in 1966. Through his school years, Tom played basketball, football, baseball, and track, the latter of which he excelled in the most. He held the men’s long jump record for Hermiston High School for 31 years.
He discovered his love for dirt bikes in his youth, and as a young man he enjoyed riding in motocross races with his brothers, then later teaching his own kids and eventually his grandkids how to ride. He was an active person who liked being outdoors, building things around the house and working on just about anything with a motor, and also enjoyed riding snowmobiles and hunting.
Tom met the love of his life, Stacey Searles, in 1975. They wed in 1977 and had a daughter and then a son. Tom worked at Umatilla Electric as a meter reader from 1978 until he retired in 2009.
Tom is survived by his wife, Stacey Wells; daughter and son-in law, Nicole and Joe Rudd; son, Jeremy Wells; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; siblings, Judi Merry, George (Carrol) Wells, Barbara (Steve) Cole, Wendy Evans, and Suzi (Brad) Bradshaw; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gene and Faye, and his older brother, Chuck.
A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 1 p.m. at Burns Mortuary Chapel, Hermiston.
Burial will follow at the Hermiston Cemetery.
Please share memories of Tom with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
