Obituary: Thomas Westcott, 88, of Ludington

Thomas Westcott

Obituary: Thomas Westcott, 88, of Ludington

Thomas Owen Westcott, 88, of Ludington passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, surrounded by his four children.

Tom was born on March 12, 1935, to Russell and Rosella Westcott in Durand. He graduated from Durand High School in 1953 and then proudly serve his country in the United States Army. He was stationed in Oahu, Hawaii.

Tom married his high school sweetheart Ellen Marie McDonald on March 24, 1956, at Schofield Barracks Chapel in Hawaii. After being honorably discharged from the Army he went to Michigan State University receiving a degree in secondary education. Tom taught high school industrial arts and vocational drafting at Morley Stanwood High School. He left teaching to enter the business world and moved his family to Ludington in 1966 and worked at Savage Manufacturing (Metalworks) as a purchasing agent for several years. But Tom’s love was teaching. In 1974 he graduated with his master’s degree in secondary education from Central Michigan University and was hired by Ludington Area Schools and taught industrial arts and vocational drafting at the high school, community college and college levels. He also earned his Leadership Development Program degree from the University of Michigan. Tom held the administration position of principal at the Mason-Lake Intermediate School District Career and Technical Education program in Mason County until he retired in 1995.

Tom had many interests and hobbies; hunting, fishing, sailing, woodworking and wood carving, traveling out West and camping. However, his passion was fly fishing and fly tying. Every summer for about 17 years he and Ellie would travel out West to Montana and Fly Fish the rivers there. In the winter months he would fly fish in Florida in what he called “skinny water”. Ellie was convinced he slept with his fly rod!

Tom has four children: Patti (Herb) Sixbury of Sparta, Greg (Pam) Westcott of Grandville, Linn (Steve) Urka of Ludington, and Darcy (Bill) Gassaway of Nashville, Tenn. He has 11 grandchildren: Jennifer Stubbs, Ian Stubbs, Evan Stubbs, Kennedy Westcott, Brittney (Matt) Brouchard, Joe (Erin) Urka, Scott Urka, Jeff (Ariel) Urka, Thomas (Becky) Jones, Tracy (Alex) Jordan, Michael (Anush) Jones and 17 great-grandchildren. To all the grands he was affectionally known as Papa Tom.

Through all his life events since his high school graduation he always had one person by his side; his Ellie. She was his forever love, his confidante, his best friend. Together they navigated raising four children, life’s ups and downs and being there for one another no matter what. They started dating as freshmen in high school. Tom adored his wife. They were together for 73 years, married for 68 years.

Tom is survived by his wife Ellie; his four children, Patti, Greg, Linn and Darcy; his older brother Russell (Marilyn) Westcott; and his younger brother Don (Barb) Westcott.

He was proceeded in death by his parents Russell and Rosella Westcott.

A Celebration of Life will take place on December 14, 2023, at the United Methodist Church, 5810 E. Bryant Road, Ludington (Pere Marquette Township). Visitation will be held before the service from 10 to 11 a.m. The service will start at 11 a.m. with a luncheon to follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to your favorite charity or help a family in need this holiday season.

Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington is honored to assist the family during this difficult time, www.OakGroveLudington.com.