Obituaries

Thomas Leander Tester

Photo of Thomas Leander Tester
Thomas Leander Tester, 69, of Bella Vista, Ark., was reunited with his parents (Goldie and Harold Tester), his sisters (Shirley and June), and granddaughter (Casey Newsum) on April 17, 2013. He was born on Sept. 1, 1943, in Cloquet, Minn. Tom was a star basketball player for Cloquet Senior High, where he met the love of his life, Sandra Darlene Lee, who he married on Dec. 3, 1960. Tom found his passion working for the City of Cloquet as a firefighter and EMT. In spite of suffering with a debilitating illness for most of his adult life, he was able to pursue his passion until he was no longer physically able to do so in December 1995. Tom was an amazing father, grandfather, and friend, and quite frankly, the funniest man alive. Tom is survived by his wife, Sandra; his daughters, Barbara Rowan and Wendy Newsum (Lauren); one brother, David Tester; grandchildren, Jennifer Backus (Andy Hardman), Annisha Fortune (Jeremy), Jordan Newsum, Austin Newsum, RJ Rowan, Luke Rowan, and great-granddaughter, Kyla Tester, along with numerous nieces, nephews and wonderful friends. A celebration of his life will be held at the Mildred B. Cooper Chapel, 504 Memorial Drive, Bella Vista, AR at 4 p.m., Monday, April 22, 2013. A gathering for us all to share our stories will follow at Papa Mike's, 1 Riordan Road, Bella Vista, AR. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cloquet IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters), Local 880, 508 Cloquet Avenue, Cloquet, MN 55720. Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.

Published April 21, 2013

Upcoming Events