Thomas Sisul

January 6, 1942 - April 26, 2025

The world lost a wonderful man on April 26, 2025, when Tom Sisul passed peacefully, with friends at his side. Tom had friends and family around the world. He will be dearly missed.

Born in Tacoma, Washington January 6,1942 to Elizabeth and John Sisul, Tom was the 4th child of 6 (JoAnne, John, Dick, Tom, Frank and Judy). He is survived by his older brother, Dick, his youngest sister Judy (Darrol) Smith, his great-nieces, Kelsey and Amber, as well as his nephews Mark & Larry (Connie) and niece, Joy.

Tom grew up in the Proctor District of Tacoma. He attended Washington Elementary, Mason Junior High, and graduated from Stadium High School in 1960. Tom graduated from Central Washington University where he obtained his teaching degree in special education. Tom played baseball in college and was recruited as a pitcher to play with the New York Mets Organization. Tom joined the Peace Corps in June 1964, and taught in Kerman, Iran. After Tom finished his assignment with the Peace Corps, he was hired by USAID, where he supported refugee relocation as a result of the 'fall of Saigon', in 1975.

Upon returning from Vietnam, Tom decided to go fishing in Alaska. While in port, he got a call from the Matanuska-Susitna School District to interview for a teaching position in Talkeetna, Alaska in 1976. He was offered the job, accepted, and the rest (so to say) is history. Tom taught special education and other subjects at Susitna Valley High School for over 20 years. Despite the cold weather, Tom adjusted to Talkeetna, and soon called the people he met, family, and considered Talkeetna his home. In 1986, Tom was selected to participate in a schoolteacher international exchange program, and taught special education in Melbourne, Australia for a year. He made fast-friends with a number of teachers, and for several decades he made regular jaunts 'down-under' to enjoy the warmer weather, during Talkeetna's colder seasons. Tom enjoyed playing golf, fishing, listening to 'Live at Five' at the Talkeetna Village Park and hosting an annual 'Brew Ha-Ha'. Tom's legacy lives on in the countless ways he has touched the lives of many in Talkeetna, Tacoma and around the world with his kindness and caring. Tom's Tacoma family wants to thank his Talkeetna family, especially Nancy and Bucky/Meredith for all of their help and support of Tom throughout the years. Talkeetna meant a lot to Tom, and his friends there are too many to name, in addition to his friends from Australia and Scotland. A celebration of Tom's life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations in honor of Tom can be made to the Talkeetna Historical Society. https://www.talkeetnamuseum.org/get-involved/.