Obituary of Thomas Vernon Whalen

Thomas Vernon Whalen January 18, 1942 to March 14th, 2014 Tom Whalen was lifted up to his Savior Jesus on Friday March 14, 2014. His life was a beautiful example of seeking Jesus and loving people; the very things he was actively doing until the end. He was a gift to us, our best friend, and blessing. God's gift to him was his beautiful wife, Linell, of 52 years, a family who loved him dearly and so many great friends who will miss him very much. He suffered at the end, but is in joy with Jesus forever where we will join him in time. What a wonderful reunion that will be! For much of his 72-year life he served Jesus as a Young Life leader, a teacher at Franklin Pierce High School, and at various churches before landing at Crossroads Church where he remained for more than 25 years. He continued his ministry wherever he went. During walks through his neighborhood and at the mall, caring for his ailing mother-in-law at the end of her life, and having long conversations with the struggling that would lead to kept promises of daily prayer for them he said he didn't need to go to Calcutta to spread the news of Jesus' love. As a Pacific Lutheran University Lute from 1962 to 1966 he was known for a sweeping hook shot and earned numerous honors. A 1960s basketball standout he still holds the PLU single-season scoring record with 656 points and a 24.2 scoring average during the '63-'64 season. He was inducted into the PLU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996, and was proud of his nickname: 'The Knight with the Velvet Touch'. Jack McKean writes about Tom Whalen in 'Home Stand: Growing up in Sports', 2005: 'I wanted to shoot the ball like Tom Whalen, PLU's skinny, six-foot-six, high-scoring forward. I don't remember much about that evening's game. But I do remember Whalen's leap, turn, and fade, rising, the ball lifted high to shoot over his right shoulder...then too far out of reach, the ball already in a lovely back-spinning forty-five-degree arc before touching the backboard and deflecting through the net. Then and there I knew I had witnessed a moment of grace.' He loved watching the most recent PLU basketball team. With an open invitation he spoke to the players after practices about his faith in Jesus, and about basketball legends from his college days. From sweatshirts, t-shirts and more he had gradually been gifted a wardrobe of Lute apparel that became his daily uniform. He will also be remembered for his loud, joyful and frequent laugh; for memorizing the book of Romans (one friend asked: 'Who does that?'); for being a faithful friend to many; a Dad and grandfather in awe of his children and grandchildren's abilities; a humble servant for the Lord; and for 'Camp Tommy Bobby' -- an oasis for their grandchildren in Tom and Linell's (a.k.a. Grandma Bobb) backyard that includes a swimming pool, a clubhouse filled with stuffed animals, and unlimited ice-flecked milkshakes. He savored each moment with his son Mike and his wife Renelle; his daughter Danielle (Morrow) and her husband Michael; and his eight grandchildren -- Hunter, Peyton, Chandler, Hudson, Parker, Ewan, Kyleigh and Emma. Their interests became his own. A natural interviewer he asked the right questions and remained engaged even when talking with his granddaughters about 'My Little Pony'. No matter the subject he encouraged them. He told them how proud he was, and how much he loved them. He called his wife, Linell, a precious gift, Linny, his angel. They joked and laughed all the time. He good-naturedly played the straight-man in familiar routines about how he never quite mastered the dishwasher, and about how taking care of him was a full-time job. In public he was gregarious and relaxed while she was quiet and took care of life's details so he wouldn't have to. He took care of her, too. From the Bible to Anna Karenina reading aloud to her was one of his great joys. If a foot rub was required he happily fulfilled that request. Married for 52 years they took care of each other fiercely and tenderly until he went home to Jesus. All are welcome to attend a reception afterwards: Crossroads Church 3509 Military Rd E, Tacoma. It will include light snacks, beverages and some of his favorite music. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts be made to the PLU Lute Club/Men's Basketball Program in honor of Tom Whalen. Office of Advancement Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA 98447-0003 or by going online to http://www.plu.edu/advancement/