“Tom was a talented mechanic, outdoorsman and a generous person who always wore a smile.”
Thomas Oja, of Brush Prairie, Washington, passed away Nov. 25, 2020. Born in Vancouver, Washington, in 1940, Tom attended Battle Ground High School where he met Carol (Petersen) Oja, his lifetime soulmate who sadly preceded him in death in 2015. Tom and Carol graduated in 1959, married in 1960 and started their family in Portland, Oregon. In 1961, they moved to a house adjacent to his parents’ farm in Hockinson. Tom and Carol would live in three Hockinson houses, including two they built, all just a few yards from the property where Tom grew up and spent his remaining years. The property continues with a third generation.
Tom and Carol were avid outdoors people. After Carol’s passing, Tom continued his travels in his new motorhome. They were always on the hunt for a new adventure, like taking a shortcut that would end up extending trips days longer than anticipated or perhaps buying a car or motorcycle in a box to be assembled and driven on the next adventure. Tom and Carol shared great memories of participating in the 1963 motorcycle Gypsy Tour with friends. In their later years, they enjoyed traveling to the Bahamas, Costa Rica, Hawaii and Mexico and enjoyed Alaskan cruises and traveling the United States from coast to coast. Tom was a licensed pilot and enjoyed his time in the air making loops and rolls overhead. He enjoyed flying, hunting, fishing, motorcycles, hiking, snowmobiling, boating and tinkering on anything mechanical. Tom started out in 1960 as a pipefitter then made the move to automotive repair. He ended up with a career at Clark County Public Works where he enjoyed light and heavy duty equipment to work on. He looked forward to seeing friends and relatives at his three monthly social events — breakfast with hunting buddies, coffee with Clark County Public Works retirees and lunch with United Finnish Kaleva Brothers and Sisters Lodge members.
He was a wonderful father who always had a new camping, hiking or fishing spot to check out. Tom is survived by his son, Mickey (Debbie); daughter, Tammy Coburn (Scott); six grandchildren of whom he was very proud, Holly, John, Katie, Stephanie, Kent, Derek; and two great-grandchildren Zoey and Brody.
