Thomas L. Davis
March 13, 1945 - April 05, 2020
Obituary
MADISON – Thomas “Tom” Davis died April 5th, 2020 at UW Hospital-Madison after a very brief fight with lung cancer.
Tom was born in Elkhorn, WI on March 13th, 1945 to Foster & Fedalma (Baker) Davis. He grew up in Walworth, graduated from Big Foot High School in 1963 and moved to Madison where he earned an Associate’s Degree in Graphic Arts from M.A.T.C.
Tom married the love of his life, Judy Bright, on February 3rd, 1968 at St. Raphael’s Cathedral in Madison, 6½ months after meeting on a blind date to a Simon & Garfunkel concert. It was the beginning of an amazing 52-year adventure for them. Tom was a lifelong musician sharing his love of music with everyone around him.
Anyone who knew Tom knows he was a kind, calm, welcoming and loving person. He was quirky, hysterically funny (the laugh until you cry & get the hiccups kind of funny), a talented musician, photographer, artist, & story teller. He was an amazing teacher, colleague, role model, friend, kid interviewer, lover of music, wonderful husband of 52 years and an amazing dad & grandpa.
Tom was a department head at Webcrafters, in sales with Opti-Copy & in 2002 he & Judy started their business, Custom Credentials.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law Georgia (Havlik) Bright & Arthur Bright, special aunt & uncle-in-law Mary & John Havlik. Tom is survived by Judy, his wife of 52 years, daughters Torrey (Jay) Wilkins & Brea (Bryan) Kleine & son Josh Davis, grandchildren Jordan (TJ) Davis, Payton Davis, Harrison, Ashton & Alex Wilkins, sisters Donna (Stewart) Peterson & Gale (Ron) Loudenbeck, brothers-in-law Bill (Jeanie) Bright & Dick (Annette) Bright & many nieces, nephews & friends.
A private family service was held with a celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tom’s honor to The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Madison or DAIS (Domestic Abuse Intervention Services). Online condolences may be made to www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
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Memories
JB
Jo Ann Benell
Other •
Dear Judy, My deepest condolences to you and your family. What a huge sadness for you all. I am sorry to have missed the opportunity to meet your Tom. You have clearly been blessed in your marriage. Tom sounds like one in a million. May your many dear memories soothe your heart.
Fondly yours
Jo Ann Benell
LE
Linda Ensminger
Other •
living next door to Tom and Judy for ten years in the 70s to early 80s was some of the best years , as far as neighbors go!! Tom made us laugh and look at life in a positive way, no matter what the situation or circumstance!! He was a constant figure of living life in the present and to it's fullest! I will never forget the sound of his laugh! thank you, Tom for being you, for being you helped me and a whole lot of others, too. Always, Linda
DJ
Dennis H. Janis
Other •
Judy, I am so sorry for your loss. My most sincere condolences. Tom and I lived together while going to MATC. This was the time he picked up a guitar and taught himself how to play it. We never kept in touch really except for the past few years sharing info. about his cousin Gene. Again, I am so sorry.
DD
Dave Drinkwater
Other •
Judy,
I am so very sorry for your loss. I remember our friendship back in the 70'S and 80's. bloody mary's and Tom playing the guitar. Your help on the night Colleen was born. You guys were good friends and neighbors.Bless Tom in heaven and your family!
Dave Drinkwater
DR
David Ruehlman
Other •
Tom and I spent high school as friends, double dating, keeping his old Ford convertible running at Stews garage. He worked with me at my dad’s printing plant and went to Madison toghether. We roomed together, played pool together and went to MATC together. He recently reminded me of the time we went to Minnesota, lost all our money playing pool and hardly enough to get home. He stayed in graphic arts and I didn’t. I love the guy and am so sorry we lost contact. I can believe what his loving family says about him. Dave Ruehlman