Memorial
Thomas J. Easterly, 84, of Cedar Rapids, died on February 16, 2015, at St.Luke’s Hospital. He has been interred at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Tom is survived by his daughters Lisa (James) Trefz of Pisgah Forest, North Carolina; Rebecca (Edward) Shaw of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; grandchildren Danielle (Jeff) Thrower of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Cam Turner of Grafton, Wisconsin, Jay Turner of Hartford, Wisconsin, Tom (Alison) Rooney of Woodbury, Minnesota, Timothy (Kathryn) Nash of Cedar Rapids, Laura (Eric) Rymarz of Dubai, Kirstin Trefz of Santa Rosa, California, Erin (Darian) Washington of Greer, South Carolina, Leah Shaw of New York City, and Carrie Shaw of Chicago; and great-grandchildren Owen Reuter, Evan Reuter, Rachell Turner, Paul Washington, Michael Rooney and Samuel Rooney. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Noel and Thelma C. (Miller) Easterly; two sisters, Shirley Von Behren and Patricia Holets; and daughter Leslie (Michael) Rooney.
Tom was born on Christmas Day in 1930 at Mercy Hospital in Anamosa. He grew up in Olin and Cedar Rapids, and graduated from McKinley High School in 1948 where he was a unanimous all-city basketball player. He attended the University of Iowa. Tom loved sports and for many years continued to play softball, basketball and volleyball. He was a long-time NASCAR fan and an avid follower of the Hawkeyes. He was active in the Optimist Club. He loved language; Tom was justifiably proud of his extensive vocabulary and was a master cross-word puzzler. He had a playful sense of humor and was an engaging story teller.
Tom was well respected as a hard and steady worker who enjoyed what he did. His employment began at a young age when he delivered papers for the Des Moines Register and caddied at the Cedar Rapids Country Club. He held many different jobs, including positions at LaPlante Choate / Allis Chalmers, Eagle Food Centers, where he became a General Manager, JC Truck and Auto Repair, Transport Trailers, and InSync / Level 10. Tom worked until age 83 and always
took pride in his work.