Tom David Conatser Dies In Sitka at the Age of 40
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- Category: Obituaries
- Created on Wednesday, 04 January 2023 13:02
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Tom David Conatser
On the morning of December 20, 2022, Tom David Conatser of Sitka died at the age of 40.
Tom was born October 19, 1982, in Sitka to Ron and Karmon Conatser. The family moved to Port Townsend, Washington, where he graduated from Port Townsend High School in 2001.
During his younger years he spent the summers fishing with his family on the F/V Karmon Dee and F/V Ida Lee. He was a good hand but really shined with his infectious humor. One day after driving his Dad and Mom nuts with his endless talking, he disappeared to the back deck where they found him sitting on an ice chest with a sign hanging around his neck: “I will shut up for food.”
Or the time when he was around 10, after reading a detailed book on pirates he called his mom and sister “Serving Wenches” at the galley table. That did not go over well.
About 20 years ago, he moved from Port Townsend back to Sitka, where he worked at Seafood Producers Co-Op, Sitka Sound Seafoods, and various other places in Sitka, and went trolling and long-lining with his dad.
Tom was an avid reader of history. He loved visiting museums and historical places. Sitting in the pilot’s seat of Howard Hughes’ Spruce Goose brought a smile that would blind you.
He looked forward to Hoonah Sound “Hunter Gatherer Trips” with his nephews, brother and dad.
He also was always up for hiking Indian River Trail with friends, and helping his dad with his crazy projects. Any day at the gun range, engaging in the shooting sports, rain or shine, was a day not wasted in Tom’s world.
Tom was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather Ralph Conatser, his paternal step-grandmother Helmi Conatser, and his uncle, Frank Kimball.
He is survived by his mother and father, Ron and Karmon Conatser of Rice, Washington; his brother Travis and sister Tamara, both of Sitka; maternal grandparents Ken and Shirley Kimball of Sitka; paternal grandmother Georgia Planck, Colville, Washington; and nieces, nephews, and cousins, including a very close cousin, Nick Eliason; and several aunts and uncles
A celebration of Tom’s life will be held in late spring or early summer, with the date to be posted on Facebook.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Salvation Army.
Thanks to the generosity and expertise of the the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska broadband department, Tidal Network ; Christopher Cropley, director of Tidal Network; and Luke Johnson, Tidal Network technician, SitkaSentinel.com is again being updated. Tidal Network has been working tirelessly to install Starlink satellite equipment for city and other critical institutions, including the Sentinel, following the sudden breakage of GCI's fiberoptic cable on August 29, which left most of Sitka without internet or phone connections. CCTHITA's public-spirited response to the emergency is inspiring.
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