Thomas William Tapp

Thomas William Tapp 1933-2011 Thomas William Tapp, age 77, passed away from a massive stroke on January 11, 2011 at 1:20 pm, at St. John’s Hospital in Oxnard, CA. A native Californian, he was born at Culver City Hospital to Canadian parents, Thomas and Audrey Tapp. His carefree boyhood years were spent exploring the hills of Westchester, CA with his faithful German shepherd, Poncho, and his horse. The family owned one of the first five houses on the hill near what is now called Loyola Marymount University. Tom’s father died when he was 9 years old, making him “the patriarch of the family,” a role he fulfilled dutifully by helping to raise his brother, Michael, who was born shortly thereafter. Tom attended Venice High School, where he became a member of the Krontz’s, a great group of buddies who meet often for special occasions or just to get together. Few men have the lasting, lifelong relationships that these fellows have. Tom enlisted in the Air Force and served honorably as a radio operator in Korea for four years (though he disliked the freezing winters). When he returned from Korea, Tom attended Cal State Northridge and Southwestern Law School receiving a B.S. in business and a J.D. His first job out of school was as a personnel specialist with U.S. Gypsum, moving shortly to the Housing Authority, City of L.A., where he retired after 22 years as personnel director. He then took a job with Hughes Radar Systems, El Segundo, CA as a human resources manager, representing the company in arbitrations and grievances. In 1962 Tom married Doris Janelle Garey of Santa Monica, CA. He and his wife, known as Jan, raised their two children in Westminster, CA then moved to Playa del Rey, CA where Tom retired from Hughes at 62. After traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada for a year, Tom and Jan joined their many wonderful friends in Canyon Lake, CA. Their time in there was filled with many activities Tom enjoyed, like golf and traveling in their 5th wheel with the Roadrunner club. Thirteen years later, in September of this year, they moved to Leisure Village in Camarillo, CA to be closer their family. Tom was a wonderful father with a huge heart and a generous sense of humanity. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved spending time in nature. Family vacations often centered on camping and fishing in the Sierras. Tom loved hunting pheasant and quail with his beloved golden retriever Tizzie. Of course, anyone who knew him also knew his passion for golf, reading, philosophizing, and talking politics. Tom’s wife, Jan, and his two children, Tracey Lynn Tapp of Destin, FL and Thomas Wells Tapp of Oak Park, CA will miss him dearly. There will be no service for Tom. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to sign the guest book above or share your memories by clicking on the “Life Stories” button.