Thomas Francis Kneeshaw

Tom Kneeshaw, Colfax resident, passed away unexpectedly on November 19, 2023, at the age of 75.

He was born Thomas Francis Kneeshaw, on August 14, 1948, in Tacoma, Washington, to John and Lois Kneeshaw.

Tom graduated from Bellarmine Prep HS in Tacoma in 1966 and went on to the University of Puget Sound. During his freshman year he met Brenda Bodmer during a Sigma Nu fraternity function. They were married January 3, 1970, and resided in Tacoma until 1974 when they moved with their two children to Colfax, Washington. While on the farm in Diamond they welcomed two more children into their family.

When it came to work, Tom was known as a "jack of all trades." He spent his years in retail with Lucky Stores, farming and ranching, selling Apple Computers, and Economic Development and Grant Writing. Tom loved his local community which led him to serve two terms on the Colfax City Council and as a trustee for the Community Colleges of Spokane. The professional achievement he was most proud of was the award he was given in Washington DC for his pioneering work on the early development of the World Wide Web. Due to an automobile accident in 1996, Tom was forced into early retirement.

Tom and Brenda loved being outdoors in the mountains, along rivers and lakes with their children. They made it a goal to visit as many National Parks as possible. Some of his favorite places were Priest Lake, Idaho, the Selway and Lochsa Rivers, and the Selkirk Mountains of NE Washington. Hunting and fishing were two of his favorite activities while on many outdoor adventures with family and his "Buddies." As a devoted father, Tom was his children's biggest fan, rarely missing one of their many extracurricular activities. Tom was a voracious reader and deeply committed follower of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Tom will be missed by family and friends, but especially by his wife; Brenda at their Colfax home; daughters; Kelly (Gary) Neal of Branson, Miss., and Katie (Ladd) Knotek of MIssoula, MT; sons; Joshua (Debra) Kneeshaw of Battle Ground, Wash., and Kevin (Kristi) Kneeshaw of Tualatin, Ore .; six grandchildren, Jaxon Neal, Hannah and Ty Kneeshaw, and Caden, Victoria, and Isabella Kneeshaw; he also leaves behind and will be deeply missed by his five siblings, many cousins, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family is planning for a Celebration of LIfe to honor Tom in the Colfax area during the Summer of 2024. Celebration of LIfe details forthcoming.