Thomas H. Elwell

Thomas Elwell

On Monday, November 1st, 2021, Thomas Howard Elwell, loving Husband, Father, and Grandfather passed away at age 82, surrounded by his children.

On April 5, 1939, Thomas was born to Robert and Hazel Elwell in Walsenburg, Colorado. As a young boy, his family moved away from the Coal Mines of Southern Colorado, to start a new life in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle. Here, his father worked as an electrician in the Plywood Industry.

After the U.S. entered World War II, Tom’s Mother, Hazel, joined the war effort, where she worked as a Rosie the Riveter, at Boeing in Seattle.

Thomas attended Magnolia Elementary, Lawton Elementary, Catherine Blaine Junior High, and graduated in 1957 from Queen Anne High School. After graduation, Tom was drafted into the U.S. Army, spending his boot-camp at Fort Riley, Kansas, before being shipped to Mannheim, Germany. During his station in Mannheim, Tom met his bride of 60 years (Karin Anna Weber). Tom would return to the states and Karin, would soon follow. They were married in a small Church on Dravus Street, in Magnolia, on June 10, 1961.

Tom attended Edison Technical School, to become an Electrician, and follow in his Father’s footsteps. He worked for the U.S. Plywood Corporation for 18 years. Due to the decline of the Plywood Industry in Seattle, Tom started working at King County Metro, as a Maintenance Electrician for 25 years, retiring in 2004.

Tom and Karin bought their first home in Shoreline. In 1970, they moved to a larger home in Kirkland, where they raised their three children (Michael, Kelly, and Steven) and resided there for 51 years. Tom and Karin loved to travel. They traveled to Germany, enjoyed camping, and road trips, that usually included stops at a casino or two, along the way.

Tom was a hard worker, kind, honest, very organized, and truly committed to his family.  He was always a great friend to everyone he would meet. He was our hero, our rock, our friend, he was our Dad. He loved us with all his heart, and will forever be our guide in life.

Thomas is preceded in death by his Father, Robert, Mother, Hazel and older brother, Robert Jr. Thomas is survived by his wife, Karin, two Sons, Michael (Vickie), Steven (Arlene), and Daughter, Kelly (James), three Niece’s, a Nephew, all his Grandchildren, and family in Germany. Thomas will be missed by all who knew him and loved him.

Donations can be made in Thomas’ memory, to Evergreen Hospice Center of Kirkland, Washington.