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Thomas Webster (Tom) Strome, 88, beloved husband and dad, passed away in his home in Albuquerque on Sunday, May 1, 2011, after an illness. He was a lifelong resident of Albuquerque. Tom graduated from Albuquerque High School, and from the University of New Mexico as a mechanical engineer. He was in the NROTC and the Navy Reserve. He served as a gunnery officer aboard the Battleship New Jersey in the Pacific during World War II. Tom received a letter from James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy on July 31, 1946, stating, "For your part in these achievements you deserve to be proud as long as you live. The nation which you served at a time of crisis will remember you with gratitude." He was employed by General Electric in Schenectady, New York in 1949 before returning to New Mexico. While he was employed at Sandia National Laboratories, he was assigned to work with the Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. Upon his return to Sandia, the Department of the Air Force, in a letter of appreciation, stated, "Mr. Strome performed his assigned task in an outstanding manner. His professionalism and engineering expertise made a major contribution toward resolution of the problem. I would like to express our appreciation to Sandia Laboratories for providing an individual of Mr. Strome's high caliber to support us in this effort." He was an avid skier and was on the Sandia Peak Ski Patrol for 14 years. He and his family skied many of the United States' ski areas. He enjoyed travel to New Zealand, England, and Scotland, and the Holy Lands: Israel, Greece, and Egypt; and a trip to Florida where he and his daughter Sandra swam with dolphins. He is survived by Barbara Strome, his wife of 63 years, and two daughters, Susan Strome and husband, William Saxton, of Santa Cruz, CA; Diane Gagon and husband, Kenneth Gagon of Seattle, WA; and his sister-in-law, Gloria Hathaway. Surviving grandchildren are Daniel and Sarah Saxton, and Jayson and Beau Gagon. Dr. Leslie Havard of Denver, CO, a New Zealand exchange student with American Field Service became like a daughter also survives. He was predeceased by his youngest daughter, Sandra Leigh Strome in 2006 and his older brother, Richard Strome, in 2010. Services will be at The Cathedral Church of St. John, 318 Silver Ave. SW, on Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Memorial gifts may be sent to The Very Reverend J. Mark Goodman, Dean and Rector of The Cathedral Church of St. John for a specified memorial to be designated. Please visit our online guestbook for Mr. Strome at www.RememberTheirStory.com. FRENCH 1111 University Blvd. NE (505) 843-6333
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