Date of Birth:
Friday, October 12, 1945
Date of Death:
Friday, September 6, 2024
Age:
78 years old

Thomas Arthur Broadwater

Thomas Arthur Broadwater was born October 12, 1945 to Marion (Dodge) and Clair Broadwater in Harmony, MN. The oldest of 4 boys, he grew up on the family’s dairy farm. He attended Prairie Queen school -an actual one room schoolhouse -for his primary grades before going to Harmony High School where he graduated in 1963. After High School he went to Austin Vocational School taking auto mechanic classes.

After technical school Tom moved to Rochester, MN and worked as a mechanic. On a summer afternoon in 1968 he met Deanna Warner. That evening he called and asked if he could take her and her daughter out for an ice cream cone, the only time he ever allowed someone to eat in his car. Tom and Deanna were married April 26, 1969 and together they raised their daughter Cherisa and several dogs at their house on Sunnydale Lane.

Tom started his 43-year career at Gopher Welding Supply as a route driver, delivering oxygen and other gasses to businesses in the Owatonna area, then moved to Rochester sales.

Tom loved all vehicles. His pride and joy was his 1968 Camaro, which he restored himself and showed off at car shows around SE Minnesota. He spent summers on his Gold Wing motorcycle, and winters on his Arctic Cat snowmobile. Accompanied by their lifelong friends Dave and Mary, Tom and Deanna traveled by motorcycle to the Black Hills, and once went as far south as Tennessee with their eldest, Cherisa. Snowmobile trips stayed closer to home. When Cherisa was old enough to drive a snowmobile, Tom took over teaching snowmobile safety courses for young people.

Tom enjoyed playing softball in the summers, when he wasn’t out boating or water skiing. For many years he played in at least two summer leagues, additionally coaching girls’ softball teams with Deanna, Mary, and Dave. Golfing and getting into shenanigans with his best friend Dick Worke was also a favorite pastime. We hope they are playing again today.

While his participation in many of his hobbies declined over the years, every Saturday found him at Deer Creek Raceway with his son, Darin, and the many friends he made there.

After retiring Tom and Deanna traveled the country in their RV, spending several winters in South Texas where they befriended many fellow snowbirds.

Most of all Tom loved his family. His wife of 55 years. His daughter, Cherisa and son, Darin. Becoming a Grandpa was one of the best things in his life and he delighted in his grandchildren, however they came into his life. Recently he got to spend time with his newest great grandchild, baby Alice.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, brother Dan (Kathy) and brother in law Terry Warner. He is survived by his wife Deanna, brothers John (Joan) and Dick (Nancy), sister in law Sandy Beede (Jim), brother in law Mick Warner (Celia), children Cherisa (Mike) and Darin, grandchildren Evan (Lacy), Travis, Jacoby (Amanda), Liv, Emma (Aric), Natalie, and Skylar, great grandchildren Jacoby Jr. and Alice, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to Channel One Food Bank, Rochester.