Thomas Vander Meide Obituary

Thomas Vander Meide Tom  Thomas "Tom" Vander Meide, age 42, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and son passed away November 20, 2003 at Kolob Regional Care Center in Cedar City, UT due to complications following a stroke in November 2001.  He was born March 13, 1961 in Murray, UT to Peter C. and Lynell Madsen Vander Meide, the oldest of four children.  Tom was somewhat mentally challenged from birth, but achieved a lot in life and worked hard to earn his place in the world. He was an Elder in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He graduated from Millard High School in 1980. He joined the Fillmore Unit of the Utah National Guard and served in it and the Boise, Idaho unit for a total of 12 years, and later received an honorable medical discharge. Tom married Lola May Petray February 6, 1988 in the Boise Temple. Tom was a cook in the National Guard and a warehouseman. He was able to become a school bus driver in Boise, an accomplishment he made all on his own. Later he lived in West Valley, and Cove Fort, UT next to his parents' ranch. He worked at various jobs such as a cook at Wendy's and McDonald's in Beaver, UT. Tom had large aquariums, and liked amphibians and all animals. He was able, through hard work, to provide for his family on his own. He will be sorely missed. Tom is survived by his wife Lola, daughters Brenda and Tammy, parents Peter and Lynell, brother Kenneth of Beaver, UT; sisters Lisa (Brett) Furniss of Blackfoot, ID, Deborah (Dale) Huntsman of St. George; grandmothers Petronella "Nellie" Vander Meide of West Valley, UT; Delsa Madsen of Nampa, ID; many cousins uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 25, 2003 at 11 a.m. at Southern Utah Mortuary (190 N. 300 W, Cedar City). Friends and family may visit Monday, November 24, from 7-8 p.m. at Southern Utah Mortuary and Tuesday morning from 10 until time of services at the mortuary.  Interment will be in the Cedar City Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary (435) 586-4040.