Tom grew up on Wentworth Street, across from Millikan High School, and made close friends with his neighbors and all the younger kids on the block who would grow up and attend Millikan in the future. He attended close-by Emerson Elementary School where his mother worked as a counselor. He would walk to Stanford Junior High or get a ride from his older brother Bill or good friend Ron Rebal who lived a few houses down. Tom excelled at track and basketball at both Stanford and Millikan and sometimes, he was even known to get good grades. He also excelled at making fun of most of the teachers and a good number of students.
It was in high school, at Millikan, that Tom met Karen Billings at a Friday night football game.
They would be married for 52 years and he was much luckier than the Millikan Football Team
that night. Tom then went on to both Long Beach City College and CSULB where he majored in History and Education.He then went on to work at the elementary, middle school and high school levels throughout Orange County. Tom was always a die-hard USC Football fan and would argue and defend the team and players to anyone foolish enough to think another team was better.
Tom’s unique sense of humor and irony helped to make him memorable to everyone lucky enough to meet him. He loved to bring friends together and celebrate each summer at his backyard parties. He was truly a unique individual and we will miss and remember him always.
Sorry to hear of Tom's passing. We had classes and laughs together at Stanford and Millikan. I knew Karen before Tom. She was a close neighbor on Carfax near Patrick Henry. She was a young showgirl, encouraging us to build "sets" out of cardboard and put on little plays for our parents and siblings. Condolences to Karen. RIP Tom.
Mike McGinnis
TOM LOVELACE
Tom grew up on Wentworth Street, across from Millikan High School, and made close friends with his neighbors and all the younger kids on the block who would grow up and attend Millikan in the future. He attended close-by Emerson Elementary School where his mother worked as a counselor. He would walk to Stanford Junior High or get a ride from his older brother Bill or good friend Ron Rebal who lived a few houses down. Tom excelled at track and basketball at both Stanford and Millikan and sometimes, he was even known to get good grades. He also excelled at making fun of most of the teachers and a good number of students.
It was in high school, at Millikan, that Tom met Karen Billings at a Friday night football game.
They would be married for 52 years and he was much luckier than the Millikan Football Team
that night. Tom then went on to both Long Beach City College and CSULB where he majored in History and Education.He then went on to work at the elementary, middle school and high school levels throughout Orange County. Tom was always a die-hard USC Football fan and would argue and defend the team and players to anyone foolish enough to think another team was better.
Tom’s unique sense of humor and irony helped to make him memorable to everyone lucky enough to meet him. He loved to bring friends together and celebrate each summer at his backyard parties. He was truly a unique individual and we will miss and remember him always.
Mike McGinnis
Roger Hassenpflug
Sorry to hear of Tom's passing. We had classes and laughs together at Stanford and Millikan. I knew Karen before Tom. She was a close neighbor on Carfax near Patrick Henry. She was a young showgirl, encouraging us to build "sets" out of cardboard and put on little plays for our parents and siblings. Condolences to Karen. RIP Tom.