Thomas Ray Bergem, born December 21, 1944, passed away peacefully on July 26, 2015 with his family by his side. Born to Albert and Florance Bergem in Mount Vernon, Tom went to school in LaConner where he graduated in 1963. In 1966, Tom met Paulette Klaus whom he would marry a year later on July 29, 1967. In 1968, they welcomed their son Jim into the world and in 1971, their daughter Shelley was born. He spent many years of his life working on outboard boat motors, hunting, fishing and being on the water. In 1973, he realised a life long dream of owning his own business when he and Jerry Thomas opened Tom & Jerry's Skagit Marine. Tom was the head mechanic for 20 years and received many awards including the Evinrude Master Technician award. Family was the most important aspect of Tom's life and nothing gave him more joy than being with his grandchildren Justin & Kindsey Youngquist. As a very honest, caring and generous person, he believed in treating people the way he wanted to be treated and in 2008 became a member of the Church of Christ in Mount Vernon. Tom is survived by his wife Paulette, son Jim and his longtime girlfriend Kristy Joslin, daughter Shelley and her husband John Youngquist, grandchildren Justin & Kindsey Youngquist and Zak Joslin, sister Janna Gage, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jimmy, and sister Sally Everhart. The family would especially like to thank the nursing staff at Mira Vista for their care and support as well as Dr. William Lombard. In lieu of flowers and gifts, donations can be made to the Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.