Nov. 23, 1944 – June 8, 2014
Forrest Thomas “Tom” Blank, 69, of Sweet Home, died June 8, 2014.
He was born Nov. 23, 1944 in Medford to Forrest and Teresa (Parks) Blank.
He grew up in various locations throughout Northern California, Oregon and Nevada, due to his father’s occupation as a logger. Some of his most memorable places were Lakeview, where he lived with his Uncle Stanley and Aunt Emily, and cousins Jane and Jake. Also fond memories were his times in Hayfork and Peanut, Calif., where he lived on an old homestead with his father and stepmother, and cousin Roger Parks. While there, he worked an old placer claim.
Mr. Blank joined the Army in 1961, was stationed in Korea, and was honorably discharged in 1964. He came to Sweet Home in 1969 and worked in the woods as a choker setter for Willamette Industries for several years. In 1972, he was hired by the U.S. Postal Service and worked out of the Sweet Home office for 30 years.
He enjoyed 12 years of retirement by fishing, crabbing, prospecting, hunting, gardening, tree planting, and spending time with his family and friends.
Mr. Blank is survived by his wife of 41 years, Becky of Sweet Home; son Jim Baker of Redding, Calif.; daughters Valerie Blank, Terra (Blank) Nelson and Megan Blank, all of Sweet Home; mother Teresa Withrow of Lebanon; brother Bodie Boeggeman of Shasta, Calif.; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his father; and sisters, Betsy Thompson and Kathy Purcell.
A memorial service is planned at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at River of Life Fellowship in Sweet Home.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.