Obituary for Tom Standley
Thomas Earl Standley
February 8, 1957—February 6, 2021
Tom Standley, age 63, passed away at the DeSano Memory Care Center in Jerome, Idaho on February 6, 2021 from Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease. He was diagnosed with the disease at the young age of 57. Though we mourn his loss, we are so grateful that he no longer has to suffer. Tom was born to Charles (Coon) and Frances Tate Standley on February 8, 1957 in Twin Falls, Idaho. Except for one year as an infant living in Moses Lake, Washington, Tom grew up in the Magic Valley living in Burley, Twin Falls, and Kimberly. He graduated from Kimberly High School in 1975. Tom excelled in all sports. Even though he was short in statue, he was a natural leader on the football, basketball and golf teams in high school. Tom was deadly at the free throw line and with three pointers in basketball, but his deep passion was for the game of golf. He was on his high school golf team and eventually competed for Idaho State University’s golf team. At the age of 13, Tom would ride his bike from Kimberly with his golf clubs on his back so he could play a round of golf at the Twin Falls Municipal Golf Course. His love for the game of golf never wavered throughout his life. Even being stricken with Alzheimer’s, Tom was able to play the game as long as someone told him where his ball was and when it was his turn. His golf buddies never had to tell him which club to use, even on courses in Arizona that he had never played before. He just had a sixth sense when it came to golf. At a very young age and throughout his life, Tom was very competitive and won many sports awards and golf tournaments. He graduated with a history and English degree from Idaho State University in 1981 and a school administration degree in 1990 from the College of Idaho.
Tom had a personality larger than life and was definitely the life of the party. He was a kind, gentle person that loved his family and extended family members immensely. Tom will always be remembered for his quick wit, outgoing personality, sense of humor, fun-loving adventures, and genuine interest in others. Tom never knew a stranger and within minutes you were his new best friend. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and spending time with family and friends on camping and rafting trips. Tom’s other great loves were Jeopardy and Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band.
Tom married Cathie Bowman-Cummins in 1985. They had been friends since high school. Tom attended Kimberly High School and Cathie attended Jerome High School. Cathie would set Tom up with her best friends, so they could double date. It wasn’t until both graduated from college that they started dating each other. Best of friends eventually turned into a blooming relationship. Tom and Cathie have two daughters; Katie (Spencer) Franz of Hobbs, New Mexico; and Sarah (Kodey) Rosen of Twin Falls. Tom and Cathie were blessed with six grandchildren: Harley, Bronc, Duke, and Avyi Franz; Mavrik and Memphis Rosen.
The first three years out of college, Tom taught and coached at the Kimberly High School. Then he served in the Hansen School District for over 20 years as a junior high school teacher, high school teacher, basketball and football coach, and the majority of his tenure as an elementary school principal. The last few years of his career were at the Murtaugh School District as the junior high/high school principal until his retirement in 2014. Tom was an amazing and respected educator. He was well liked by staff, parents, and students. Tom exhibited compassion, fairness, and integrity which influenced the lives of many youth. He was able to discipline students in a strict, but fair, and loving way that earned respect by all involved. Tom received administration awards and coaching awards during his career. He also adjusted crops due to hail damage during the summer months with his education buddies for close to 30 years.
Tom is survived by his wife, Cathie, his daughters, sons-in-laws, six grandchildren as noted above, and his older brothers, Mike (Suzanne) Standley, Steve Standley, and numerous nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Andy.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the personnel at the Desano Memory Care Center and Auburn Crest Hospice Services for their excellent care, kindness, and emotional support. Also, a warm felt appreciation to Lucy Hall, Tom’s dear friend and colleague, who visited Tom on a weekly basis, and the staff at the Murtaugh School District for assisting him at the onset of his disease during his last year of employment. The family would like to express deep gratitude to Shannon Owen, Tom’s Hospice nurse. She was always there for Cathie no matter the time of day. Finally, a warm-felt thanks to their extended family and friends for their love and support during Tom’s illness.
A visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at White-Reynolds Funeral Chapel located at 2466 Addison Ave. East in Twin Falls, Idaho. Funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm on Friday, February 12, 2021 also at White-Reynolds Funeral Chapel. Graveside dedication will conclude at the Twin Falls Cemetery. You can view the service being livestreamed starting at 2:50 pm on Friday by going to www.whitereynoldschapel.com. Click on Tom’s obituary on the main page and under the “photos and videos” tab will be a direct link to watch the service. For any questions, please contact White-Reynolds Funeral Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes to send contributions in Tom’s name to the American Alzheimer’s Association. www.act.alz.org
February 8, 1957—February 6, 2021
Tom Standley, age 63, passed away at the DeSano Memory Care Center in Jerome, Idaho on February 6, 2021 from Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease. He was diagnosed with the disease at the young age of 57. Though we mourn his loss, we are so grateful that he no longer has to suffer. Tom was born to Charles (Coon) and Frances Tate Standley on February 8, 1957 in Twin Falls, Idaho. Except for one year as an infant living in Moses Lake, Washington, Tom grew up in the Magic Valley living in Burley, Twin Falls, and Kimberly. He graduated from Kimberly High School in 1975. Tom excelled in all sports. Even though he was short in statue, he was a natural leader on the football, basketball and golf teams in high school. Tom was deadly at the free throw line and with three pointers in basketball, but his deep passion was for the game of golf. He was on his high school golf team and eventually competed for Idaho State University’s golf team. At the age of 13, Tom would ride his bike from Kimberly with his golf clubs on his back so he could play a round of golf at the Twin Falls Municipal Golf Course. His love for the game of golf never wavered throughout his life. Even being stricken with Alzheimer’s, Tom was able to play the game as long as someone told him where his ball was and when it was his turn. His golf buddies never had to tell him which club to use, even on courses in Arizona that he had never played before. He just had a sixth sense when it came to golf. At a very young age and throughout his life, Tom was very competitive and won many sports awards and golf tournaments. He graduated with a history and English degree from Idaho State University in 1981 and a school administration degree in 1990 from the College of Idaho.
Tom had a personality larger than life and was definitely the life of the party. He was a kind, gentle person that loved his family and extended family members immensely. Tom will always be remembered for his quick wit, outgoing personality, sense of humor, fun-loving adventures, and genuine interest in others. Tom never knew a stranger and within minutes you were his new best friend. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and spending time with family and friends on camping and rafting trips. Tom’s other great loves were Jeopardy and Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band.
Tom married Cathie Bowman-Cummins in 1985. They had been friends since high school. Tom attended Kimberly High School and Cathie attended Jerome High School. Cathie would set Tom up with her best friends, so they could double date. It wasn’t until both graduated from college that they started dating each other. Best of friends eventually turned into a blooming relationship. Tom and Cathie have two daughters; Katie (Spencer) Franz of Hobbs, New Mexico; and Sarah (Kodey) Rosen of Twin Falls. Tom and Cathie were blessed with six grandchildren: Harley, Bronc, Duke, and Avyi Franz; Mavrik and Memphis Rosen.
The first three years out of college, Tom taught and coached at the Kimberly High School. Then he served in the Hansen School District for over 20 years as a junior high school teacher, high school teacher, basketball and football coach, and the majority of his tenure as an elementary school principal. The last few years of his career were at the Murtaugh School District as the junior high/high school principal until his retirement in 2014. Tom was an amazing and respected educator. He was well liked by staff, parents, and students. Tom exhibited compassion, fairness, and integrity which influenced the lives of many youth. He was able to discipline students in a strict, but fair, and loving way that earned respect by all involved. Tom received administration awards and coaching awards during his career. He also adjusted crops due to hail damage during the summer months with his education buddies for close to 30 years.
Tom is survived by his wife, Cathie, his daughters, sons-in-laws, six grandchildren as noted above, and his older brothers, Mike (Suzanne) Standley, Steve Standley, and numerous nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Andy.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the personnel at the Desano Memory Care Center and Auburn Crest Hospice Services for their excellent care, kindness, and emotional support. Also, a warm felt appreciation to Lucy Hall, Tom’s dear friend and colleague, who visited Tom on a weekly basis, and the staff at the Murtaugh School District for assisting him at the onset of his disease during his last year of employment. The family would like to express deep gratitude to Shannon Owen, Tom’s Hospice nurse. She was always there for Cathie no matter the time of day. Finally, a warm-felt thanks to their extended family and friends for their love and support during Tom’s illness.
A visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at White-Reynolds Funeral Chapel located at 2466 Addison Ave. East in Twin Falls, Idaho. Funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm on Friday, February 12, 2021 also at White-Reynolds Funeral Chapel. Graveside dedication will conclude at the Twin Falls Cemetery. You can view the service being livestreamed starting at 2:50 pm on Friday by going to www.whitereynoldschapel.com. Click on Tom’s obituary on the main page and under the “photos and videos” tab will be a direct link to watch the service. For any questions, please contact White-Reynolds Funeral Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes to send contributions in Tom’s name to the American Alzheimer’s Association. www.act.alz.org