Franklin Thompson (Tom) Georgeson, Jr. was born August 10, 1930 in Eureka to Franklin Thompson Georgeson, Sr. and Margaret Kellam Georgeson. Tom passed away on Saturday morning, May 7, with his wife by his side after a courageous three-year battle with lymphoma.

Tom attended St. Joseph Convent and Marshall Elementary School, Eureka Junior High, Eureka Senior High School, and Menlo College Preparatory. Prior to serving in the military, Tom attended several colleges, including University of Nevada and Compton Junior College. After spending four years in the United States Air Force from December 1950 to December 1954, Tom attended Humboldt State College, and in 1958 completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.

Tom is preceded by his parents Frank and Margaret Georgeson, his sister and brother-in-law June and Vernon Payne, his mother-in-law Betty Harmon, and his nephew Adam Cunningham, in addition to numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.

Tom leaves his loving wife, Murline, his children; Bruce, Brian and wife Laurie, Sarah, David and his wife Dana, and Andrea. He also leaves his grandchildren; Lucas, Wyatt, Tacy, Gage, Brandon, and Casey. He leaves his father-in-law David Harmon and sister-in-law Shelly Harmon. He also leaves his nieces Margaret Murphy and Diane Brown and their families, and nephew Bret Wright and his family. He will be missed by many friends.

Tom had a life-long love of automobiles, sailing, and local and world-wide history. He could fix almost anything and was a great partner when playing Trivial Pursuit. For many years Tom helped his children race Quarter Midgets, where they competed on a local and national level, by fixing the engines and coaching their driving. He attended many baseball, football, basketball, track, cheerleading, and musical events when the kids were young.

Tom owned many cars over the years from hot rods to sport cars and more. He completed a lifetime goal of restoring his beloved 1936 Cord Westchester and then drove it in style to local and statewide events. He contributed his knowledge and ability to solve problems for his fellow Cord owners in the US and overseas through articles he wrote, resources he provided, personal phone and email correspondence, and organizing and moderating a technical session for the Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg West Coast meets each year.

Tom worked for the California Department of Transportation, aka Cal Trans, for over 35 years as a Right of Way Agent. He appraised, negotiated and bought property for the construction of California’s highways. When the funds were not allocated for the construction of the freeway bypass through Eureka, he managed the state-owned properties as rentals for the state.

After retirement in 1994, Tom was able to travel to his grandfather’s homeland; the Shetland Islands and using DNA, traced his ancestry finding relatives in England, Australia, and New Zealand. He was always proud of the legacy that his ancestors left in Humboldt County.

He traveled with his wife to a number of foreign countries including the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Australia, and New Zealand. He loved exploring ancient ruins and relics wherever he went. He quickly learned to drive on the left hand side of the road in a right steering wheel vehicle when traveling, with his wife hollering “get over, you are too far over.”

Growing up, Tom had many fun and memorable experiences at Big Lagoon. His family started visiting Big Lagoon in 1929, staying in various cabins until Tom’s father, an architect, designed a cabin that was built on the bluff in 1937 that still stands today. He spent many hours sailing on the lagoon, fishing, agate hunting, swimming, and just being a boy. He continued to serve on the Board of the Big Lagoon Corporation until his death.

With Tom, what you saw was what you got. He never put on airs or pretenses. He was not one to go with the latest trend or gimmick. He loved to give hugs, especially to his children, even into their middle ages. He had a few good sayings, a favorite being, “good clean living pays off.”

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Cancer Program at St. Joseph Hospital, Hospice of Humboldt or the American Cancer Society.

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The obituary above was submitted by Tom Georgeson’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.