Thomas L. Fettes

Thomas L Fettes age 75 years, of Traverse City Michigan passed away Friday, October 10, 2025 from complications following Surgery at Munson Hospital surrounded by family He was born on June 7, 1950 to Victor and Joan (Miller) Fettes in Battle Creek Michigan. He graduated from Lakeview high School and earned an Associates Degree at Kellogg Community College in business. Tom enlisted in the Marine Corps Camp Pendleton California. Stations included Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and the South East Asian Territories. He earned medals for Rifle Sharp shooter, National Defense Service, and a Good Conduct medal during his service in The Marines. In 1982. He joined the military department of the army at the 182 Army Reserve Cent in St Louis Missouri. He served the country for 30 years, the last 10 years at the national park Sleeping Bear Dunes Lakeshore, in Empire Michigan. Just a short walk from our home. During the army years, he was a Unit administrator for the 182nd Reserve unit in Traverse City as a civialn employee during the week and a heavy truck transportation driver on the weekend. The unit was deployed to the Gulf war. His job was hauling bulk petroleum, 5000 gallons per truck, to deliver to bladders to provide fuel for the Air Force for the helicopters tanks and heavy machinery. They traveled on makeshift roads. It seems that there were not a lot of roads or gas stations through the sandy desert into Iraq In May 1977, Tom and Cheryl Trembath were united in marriage in Battle Creek Michigan with Jonathan Todd Henderson and Michelle Lynn Henderson at the alter with us. Our honeymoon at the Homestead in Glen Arbor opened new worlds for our new family and we moved up to Empire the following August. Snowshoes, skiing, racquetball, lions & Tigers oh my! These were a few of his favorite things. Along with sunset, beaches, dunes, hiking, starting fires on the beach and telling tails to grandkids. Tom liked to travel, often just moving to new locations instead of taking vacations. Tom and Cheryl maintained a loving and supportive marriage of 48 years up until Tom’s passing in October 2025 “we had joy we had fun we had seasons in the sun“ and now Tom has joined our son Jonathan Todd Henderson, Tom’s parents, Vic and Joyce, sister Jennifer (Fettes) Selby, brother Mark Fettes, brother-in-law Michael Trembath, mother-in-law Dorothy Trembath and father-in-law Raymond Trembath. Well, Tom earned lots of metals with the Marines and the army but he excelled with people skills and raising children most notable with Jon-Todd, Michelle and Arial. Our grandchildren, Laura Henderson (Nathaniel) Haban, Jonathan Drake Henderson, Jonathan Rush Henderson, Arial Lynn Henderson will always remember the beach days with Papa. Our bonus grandson, Christian Doran (Maddie) and great children will hear Papa stories forever. Preston, Guinevere, Beatrix, Stella, Astrid, Sophie & Georgia are our great great grandchildren. He was #1 of a few good men.

Thomas L. Fettes

June 7, 1950 - October 9, 2025