Thomas "Tom" Luther Rhone

Thomas (“Tom”) Luther Rhone, our beloved husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle and friend (affectionately known as “Daddo”, “Gpa”, and “Rhino”) went home to his Lord and Savior on the morning of October 6, 2019, in his home he so dearly loved for over 34 years. On Friday, October 25, a memorial service will be held at 3 PM at Northlake Community Church, 1471 E. McLeod Road, Bellingham, WA. In honor of Tom’s love for the Washington State Cougars and per his request, his family strongly encourages wearing Cougar gear or the university colors of crimson and gray.

Tom was born on February 3, 1950, to Luther and Margaret Rhone in Mt. Vernon, Washington where he grew up with his five siblings and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He had fond memories of Sunday afternoons playing football and baseball in the field, jumping on the trampoline, galivanting around Skagit Valley on his Honda 90, roasting hotdogs and s’mores over the bonfire, and making tunnels in the hay bales. He attended grade school at Immaculate Conception, graduated from Mt.Vernon High School, and received his undergraduate degree at his beloved Washington State University  – go Cougs! His years at WSU were some of his best because of his fraternity brothers at Sigma Phi Epsilon, who endearingly gave him the “Rhino” nickname. After college, he moved to Whatcom County where he began his career in construction and met Tracy, his wife of 42 years. In his latest endeavors, Tom worked as a regional sales manager of Denali Corporation as well as serving as a water commissioner in Whatcom County. Tom was always ready to help – whether it was lending a hand with a building project, participating in skits at youth group, helping his kids with math homework, or volunteering at the annual Ski to Sea race, he was eager to serve. Tom’s greatest joy was his family; he hardly missed a sporting event, piano recital, family get-together, or anything in-between. He was everyone’s biggest fan, and he loved to brag about whomever it was to whomever he was around before, during, and after the event. He was a problem solver; even if it took him all day, he would figure it out. He was also humbly generous – with his money, his time, his devotion, his love, and his loyalty.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Luther and Margaret Rhone. He is survived by his wife, Tracy; children, Travis (Sarah) Rhone, Tiffany (Adam) York, and Tessa (Ryan) Ebbesen; his grandchildren, Ty and Avery York, Walker, Taryn, and Anders Ebbesen, and baby Rhone due in November; his step- grandchildren Cyan Brown and Kinsley Johnson; his brothers, Jim Rhone, Bill (Denise) Rhone, Bob Rhone, Ed (Gretchen) Rhone; his sister, Linda (Greg) Miller; his brother-in-law, Mitch (Greta) Muscutt; his sister- in-law, Tammy (Terry) Wilcox; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Tom fought hard against colon cancer, and the Lord blessed his family and friends with more time than expected. We are so gracious to the medical community who assisted with Tom, especially the staff at Whatcom Hospice. In lieu of gifts, the family has requested donations be made to this organization because of their meticulous care for Tom and his entire family through this journey.