Obituary for Thomas Joseph Woginrich, Sr.
Thomas (Tom) Joseph Woginrich, Sr., 82, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2025, with his family by his side. A proud Navy veteran, devoted Christian, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Tom lived a life defined by faith, service, and dedication to his family and community.
Born on March 12, 1943, in Walnutport, Pennsylvania, Tom was the eldest of two children born to Joseph and Catherine Woginrich. He attended Northampton High School, before enlisting in the United States Navy. He proudly served four years aboard the USS Kearsarge as an electronics technician, with deployments to the Philippines, Vietnam, and Hong Kong. During his tour, he took part in the recovery of two Project Mercury space capsules before receiving an honorable discharge.
After his military service, Tom moved to Southern California where he took a position as a cable splicer with General Telephone & Electronics (GTE). At GTE, he met Linda, whom he married in 1965. Together they had three sons—Tom Jr., Mike, and David. Along the way, he earned an Associate of Arts degree from the College of the Desert in Palm Desert, California.
In 1977, Tom moved his family to Litchfield, California, where he continued his career as a cable splicer with Citizen’s Utilities and became a dedicated community member. He coached his sons’ football and baseball teams, served as President of the Babe Ruth Baseball League, and in 1983 spearheaded the project to install the first lighting system at Arnold Field at Lassen High School, bringing Friday night football to Susanville.
In the mid-1980s, along with moving into a role as an Engineer with Citizen’s Utilities, Tom discovered a passion for endurance sports. What began as daily bike rides to and from work soon grew into competitive cycling, running, and swimming. He went on to qualify for and run the Boston Marathon five consecutive years and continued competing in marathons, biathlons and triathlons well into his early 70s.
After his children were grown, Tom moved to Arizona, where he continued working for Citizens Utilities (later Frontier Communications). While living in Kingman, he met Deatra (Dee). Tom and Dee married in October 1996 and later settled in Susanville, where they shared a home together for nearly 29 years. Tom retired from Frontier Communications in 2010 but remained active, including his races, and actively travelling with Dee throughout their retirement years.
Faith was a cornerstone of Tom’s life. A devoted member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, he faithfully attended mass every Saturday and, in April 2013, joined the Knights of Columbus, where he earned the 4th Degree of Knighthood. He dedicated countless hours volunteering for the church and its events, always ready to lend a helping hand.
Tom is survived by his loving wife Dee; his three sons, Tom Jr., and his wife Tamie, Mike and his partner Tracy, and David and his girlfriend Jen; his brother, Charlie; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; several close cousins, and Dee’s extended family, whom he dearly cherished.
Thomas Joseph Woginrich, Sr. served his country, his church, his community and his family with love and honor. He will be remembered for his deep faith, patriotism, boundless energy, and steadfast devotion to his family and community. His legacy of love, faith and perseverance will live on in all who knew and loved him.
A Memorial Mass for Tom will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Susanville at 11am, with a Celebration of Life to immediately follow at the Monsignor Moran Hall.