Mr. Ira Thomas Shotwell, III, longtime resident of Arcata, died suddenly on October 17, 2016.

Mr. Shotwell was preceded in death by his father Dr. Ira Thomas Shotwell, Jr. and mother Lena Gibson Shotwell.  Surviving Mr. Shotwell are his wife, Sharla Denell Shotwell, two adult stepchildren Timothy Eugene Gibson and wife Melody, Kimberly Kay Perrigo and husband Phil and several step grandchildren and one great step child along with his sister, Sally Mae Shotwell, nephews Nick and Alex Robinson and family.

Tom, as he liked to be called, was a Vietnam era war veteran, loving husband, stepfather, stepgrandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many, a majority of which may have only known him by face or as Tom.  Those who knew Tom best knew him to be an avid fan of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead as well as an overall music, philosophical, political science and sports enthusiast. More recently, he completed work on three student films directed and produced by members of the HSU Film department. 

In addition, he was a pro-peace activist and had supported many causes over the years to help aid in protecting the planet from destruction, whether through nuclear technologies, fracking, mountaintop coal mining  or pollution.  Lastly, he was one of the kindest, sweetest and most generous man most had ever known. A memorial is being planned near Austin in April 2017, all who knew him are welcome, please contact his wife on FB for  more information. The memorial is being planned in that area as most of his closest friends and relatives now live in the region. He is already and will continue to be missed by the many who knew him.  May he always RIP.

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