Thomas Kittle Barstow
Thomas Kittle Barstow, 71, of Valdese, N.C. died July 16, 2012, from pancreatic cancer.
Thomas Kittle Barstow, 71, of Valdese, N.C. died July 16, 2012, from pancreatic cancer.
Tom was born May 19, 1941 in Superior, to the late Barney and Helga Barstow.
Tom enjoyed summers swimming, boating and exploring with his sister Bonnie at the family log cabin at Lake Nebagamon. While attending the University of Wisconsin-Stout, he married Nancy Granstrom in June 1961. Nancy passed away from cancer after 33 years of marriage in Clermont, Fla. In 1995, Tom married Mary Monscour in Winter Park, Fla.
At Stout, Tom became enthralled with photography that led him to a career in still and motion picture work. In 1967, he bought a portrait studio and color lab in Duluth. The studio was sold and the family relocated to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and Tom accepted a position as GM of Creative Film Services, a motion picture optical house in Miami. In 1987 Pacific Title and Art Studio, Hollywood, Calif., hired Tom and relocated him to central Florida where he represented Pacific Title in the SE for Feature Post Production. During periods of high volume, he would go "on camera" in the main studio in Los Angeles. Tom was a long time corporate member of the Florida Motion Picture and Television Association and VP in Orlando in 1991, was a past member of the Motion Picture Editor Guild, Hollywood, Calif., spent three years on the Advisory Board for Industrial Education in Ft. Lauderdale, Broward County, and a past member of Kiwanis.
Sailing was Tom's lifelong enjoyment, followed by power boating, motorcycling, snow skiing and tennis. The tennis began late in life since Mary was an accomplished player and Tom had little choice but to learn the game. When he reached the point of not embarrassing anyone, he and Mary enjoyed playing mixed doubles in Clermont and Orlando. In 2006, Tom and Mary relocated to Valdese, N.C. to enjoy retirement. Tom passed away peacefully in his home, with his wife and family at his side.
Tom is survived by his two sons Mark Thomas Barstow of Key West, Fla. and David Alan Barstow and wife, Janet of Weirsdale, Fla.; step children Paul Crouch and wife Lania of Kissimmee, Fla., Danica Alvaradejo and husband Mario of Morganton, N.C.; and sister Bonnie Gruber and husband John of Madison, Wis. Tom is also survived by 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service for Thomas Barstow will be held on Thursday July 19 at 5:00 p.m. in Pioneer Hall at the Waldensian Presbyterian Church, 109 Main St. E., Valdese, N.C., with Rev. Dr. Kevin Fredrick officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations should be made to Waldensian Presbyterian Church, c/o Connections Band, 109 Main St. E., Valdese, NC, 28690.
An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com.
Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory is assisting the family.
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Clarann Z.
Kenosha, WI 07/18/2012 9:25 AM
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Mary M.
Tom (we called him Tommy) was a friend of mine from the old McCaskill (the first one) and he was so much fun. He could make us laugh with his sense of humor and could make us smile by just entering the classroom. He and Alan (Abby) Seigel (sp.) were inseparable and even wore the same type of jacket, soft brown leather with a mouton collar. They made a perfect pair. I was able to reunite with Tom when we both worked at KDAL Radio/TV years later. And he still set me to laughing with his perpetual smile and his upbeat attitude. His friends were not surprised to learn of his ability with the camera, for Tom saw the best of the world and noticed details that escaped the rest of us. He was marvelously gifted and left us in awe of his talent. And, yet, he was human and down to earth. He strolled the campus with the rest of us (dodging snowballs in the winter, and throwing a few) oblivious to the fact that his father was an influential member of the college's board of directors and a well-respected Superior attorney. He never bragged about himself or his family. And, that was Tom, a good friend and a dear person. I send my sympathy and prayers to his survivors. May he rest in peace. Mary Cadigan MurdochLongview, TX 07/22/2012 11:50 AM
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