Anyone lucky enough to have known Tom Cover will be saddened to hear of his passing from this world on December 5th, due to lung complications after a year-long illness. He will be remembered by many for his talented trumpet playing: starting at HSU in the ‘60s, and later including All Seasons Orchestra, Eureka Symphony, Bayside Brass Quintet, Humboldt British Brass Band, with the McKinleyville Community Choir, for various musicals, wherever needed.

For those who knew him best he was also loved for his kindness, honesty, humility, generosity, loyalty and a friendly fun-loving spirit! Born in Columbus, Ohio, Tom spent much of his childhood living in Rocky Mountain National Park and then Lakeside, Ca. He came to HSU in the ‘60s, loved Humboldt and never left! He worked in many different jobs: typesetter, vineyard managing in Lake County during college breaks, for various local construction and flooring businesses, and finally 20 years at HSU.

Tom also created beautiful refined bowls and other turned pieces from local hardwoods which he gifted to many and donated for fundraising, most recently for the Trinidad and McKinleyville Land Trusts. Tom was a man of many talents and hobbies. In addition to wood-working he enjoyed hiking, mushrooming, rockhounding, running (including many Clam Beach Runs and the annual 4th of July run in Ashland with son Matt), beach-combing and litter-getting, helping with the Marine Mammal Rescue team, dancing to local bands, perch fishing, snorkelling, making poke and sushi, fire-building, being an avid reader and general bon vivant.

He will be missed most by his loving son Dr. Matthew Cover (Nancy Au) of Oakland, sister Janice (Dale) Bush of Medford, brother-in-law Bob (Beverly) Conley of Anchorage & Berkeley, Nicolas (Melissa, Zachary, Mia, Madison) Levesque of Prineville, Ore., and locally: Caroline, Alan and Sylvan Levesque, Jonathan Kirby and Janene Kirby (Luka, Eliana), and Kathryn Johnson, who he dearly loved and welcomed into his heart and life.

A celebration of life and musical remembrance is planned for later this year in collaboration with his friends in the All Seasons Orchestra, of which Tom was a proud and dedicated founding member. You can best honor Tom’s memory by rescuing a cat or dog, respecting everyone, and dancing whenever you can!

Dec. 3, 1948 – Dec. 5, 20. R.I.P.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Tom Cover’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.