- Date Of Birth: January 27, 1928
- Date Of Death: November 19, 2018
- State: California
Thomas Alonzo, 90, passed away on Monday, November 19, 2018 at home unexpectedly from complications of pneumonia. He was born January 27, 1928 to Baptist Minister Thomas Britten and Hattie Rigsby Fore on the family’s Plantation in Holly Springs, Mississippi.
Tom first started out hauling moonshine before becoming a cattle long haul trucker. When on a trip to Denver he met his true-love LauraJean Weaver. They married December 23, 1948 and settle down in Burlington, Colo. Then 1950 Tom became a Foreman for Delici Brothers Rock Plant, Wichita, Kansas. 1956 Thomas started working for Western Construction Corp. out of Sioux City Iowa, where he was their Construction Supervisor for over 50 years and retired three different times from them. Some of his major projects were; the California Aqueduct, Arizona Aqueduct, Denver and Atlanta Airports, Navy Airport in Seattle, countless freeways. The family has lived in every state except five.
In 1968 the family settled in Taft. Tom was a life time member of The Taft Moose Lodge, joining in 1967. To keep busy Tom worked at the Taft Rock Plant then in 1987 Tom and Jean started 4’s Ceramic and Hobby shop with an equipment rental business too.
Thomas never met a stranger and was a true southern gentleman. His hand shake was his bond – his word. Tom loved trying all kinds of food. His favorite phase “I’ll eat anything that doesn’t eat me first”. Tom prided himself on being a Jack of all trades and enjoyed passing that onto his sons and Grandsons. He showed his daughters and Granddaughters, that they are more powerful than any man.
Tom loved being involved with his family, including going camping at Dumont and Glamis even driving the sand-rail in the dunes into his late 80’s.
Thomas was preceded in death by his beloved wife, of 56 years, LauraJean February 2004, son Billy Fore February 2014, Granddaughter Denise Grijalva Underhill August 2014. Daughter-in-law Patricia Fore February 2017.
Thomas is survived by his sons: Bob and Thomas (Jim) Fore, daughters: Wanda and Tim Johnson, Donna and Danny Grijalva, Honorary daughter in law: LouAnn Jackson. Grandchildren: Dan, Dennis, and Donald Grijalva, Brad, Chris, Meagan, Zach, and Johnnie Fore, Mike and Laura Johnson, Kaitlyn Charles, Layne Smith, Heather Barajas. Great Grandchildren: Brandon and Kelsey Ford, Allison Arnold, Ryan Underhill, Austin Fore, Brianna Johnson, Kaleb, Kamryn, Kruz, Reese and Rilynn Grijalva, Haliee Perry, Adalyn Barajas, Brooklyn and Harper Smith, Gabriel and Aurora Peel, Levi Charlies Great-Great Grandchildren: Aubrey Huckins, Bryson and Brayden Ford, Elizabeth Svinth.
