On Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, Thomas Jeffrey Felgar, loving husband, father of two children, and grandfather of three children, peacefully passed away at the age of 75 at home.
Tom was born on Sept. 21, 1943 in Monongahela, Penn., to Rip and Betty Felgar.
His education continued in the Pittsburgh area until junior high school, upon that time the family moved to Ballard, Wash., where Tom attended and graduated from Ballard High School.
He participated in college baseball and received his bachelor’s degree from Central Washington University in education the spring of 1967. Tom’s first teaching job was in a small town in Eastern Washington named Warden, where he taught history, coached baseball and met his wife, Peggy, and they began a happy marriage of more than 50 years.
Tom accepted a job at Langley High School on South Whidbey in 1969. He served as a high school history and physical education teacher, coached many sports such as varsity boys basketball and, in 1972, took Langley High School to its first district playoffs in Mount Vernon. Later, in the 1980s, he helped the boys teams on to state, as well as served as head coach for several girls varsity teams placing at the state tournament, and later becoming athletic director at South Whidbey High School.
He chose retirement after 30 years of service to his community.
Tom was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman.
He loved country music, reading Louis L’Amour books, camping, woodworking and watching football, basketball and baseball games. He also very much loved being an educator, leading the teams he coached and being with family. He was known for his quick wit, infectious smile, and his kind and compassionate spirit.
Tom was preceded in death by his father Rip and mother Betty. He is survived by his wife Peggy, whom he married Aug. 27 1968 in Warden, Wash.; his two children, Chad and Kari; his son-in-law William Fitting; grandchildren, Emmy Felgar, Capri and Oliver Fitting; brother Gary Felgar of Marysville, Wash.; and his sister Patricia Marshall of Coupeville.
A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019 at South Whidbey High School. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions for a Tom Felgar Memorial Scholarship fund can be sent to South Whidbey High School, 5520 Maxwelton Road, Langley, Wa, 98260.
