Obituary of Thomas Joseph Garity

MESA, Ariz. — Thomas Joseph Garity — TJ to his family and friends — was taken home Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. TJ had a quick wit and ready smile. You always could count on him to lighten any room he entered. Born Oct. 31, 1955, to James (Jerry) and LaVere (Gault), he was raised in Sullivan, Wis. After graduating from Jefferson High School in Jefferson, Wis., in 1973, TJ served in the U.S. Air Force. He then moved to Minneapolis, where he met and married Sue Griffin, and had a beautiful daughter, Kelsey Elizabeth, his heart and soul. A few years ago, TJ moved to Mesa, Ariz., for the warmth and sunshine, which is where he passed. Tom will be missed greatly by his daughter, Kelsey (Andy) Janetski; his mother, LaVere; brothers, Jim, John, Tim (Pam), Dan (Ann) and Brian (Tamara); nieces and nephews, Patrick (Sara) Garity, Jamie (Chris) Westenberg, John Michael Garity, Becky (Michael) Nordness, Jason Garity, Katie (Cody) Merk, Jerry and Ben Garity, Marcie and James Garity, Shannon and Grace Garity, as well as several great-nieces and nephews. Greeting Tom in heaven were his father, Jerry; his grandparents, Gerald and Nora Garity, and Forrest and Lottie Gault; and his ever-faithful companion, Bruno. A Memorial Mass will be held on February 2, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Help of Christian Catholic Church in Sullivan, burial with Military Honors will follow in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be at the church on Friday February 2, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11:00. "Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand. Death is nothing at all. You have only slipped away into the next room." Visit www.schneidermichaelisfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence or light a candle in his memory.