The family of Thomas James Zellers is saddened to announce his passing on July 29th, 2024 at the age of 77 years. He passed away peacefully at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, WA with his wife Janice by his side.

Tom was born in Mount Pleasant Pennsylvania on December 1, 1946 to Eleanor Ann Zellers and Robert Cyrus Zellers. Tom was the second child of four siblings Bill (Donna), Beth (John) and was pre-deceased by his youngest sister Jan. During high school he worked passionately to fulfill his dream of obtaining a football scholarship to the University of Virginia where he attended from 1964 to 1968. After he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business Administration, he went on to serve in the Navy as a pilot flying the P-3 Orion. Tom married former wife Rebecca and they had two daughters Kelly and Michelle. He served from 1969-1976 where he became an officer and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander during the Vietnam War.

Tom’s dream of becoming a hospital administrator inspired him to retire from the Navy after 11 years of service. He loved the Pacific Northwest and moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington. While obtaining his Masters in Health Services Administration he was the Assistant Hospital Administrator at the University of Washington Medical Center. Here he met his former wife, Kerry, who was the Head Nurse of the Medical/Surgical Unit at the University of Washington. Tom and Kerry were married in 1980. In 1982 they moved to Bangor, Maine where Tom became the Executive Vice President & Hospital Administrator of Eastern Maine Medical Center. He worked here for 4 years. In 1984, Tom and Kerry welcomed their son Scott. Soon after, the family moved to Spokane, Washington where he became the Chief Operating Officer of the former Deaconess Medical Center (now Multicare Deaconess) where he embraced the community for 16 years. In 1989 they welcomed their daughter Mary Kate. During Tom’s career in Spokane which he affectionately referred to as “the last best place”, he and his family were part of a strong community that existed between his work at the hospital and being an involved father of two children who were constantly busy with competitive sports. This chapter also brought many memories of summers spent up at beautiful Priest Lake in Idaho where he and his family enjoyed fishing, hiking, and boating. In 2003 an opportunity arose in Vail, Colorado where Tom became the CEO of Vail Valley Medical Center. Tom worked here for 15 months and is credited with improving relations between administrators and physicians as well as upgrading medical technology. In 2004 Tom had the opportunity to move his family back to Washington State and became the Hospital Administrator & Vice President at Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital.

In 2009, Tom met his wife Janice in Vancouver, Canada and they quickly fell in love and decided to marry and relocate to Whidbey Island where he had served in the Navy Reserves. Together they built a wonderful life and a beautiful waterfront home in Coupeville, WA. Janice grew up in the health and wellness industry and Tom embraced a healthy vegan lifestyle. Together they created a superfood business, Thrive Superfoods – Eagles Song Health and Wellness. They had a natural food store and restaurant for 4 years and then pivoted to educating and selling their products at various farmers markets in and around the Puget Sound and Idaho. With Janice’s immense knowledge and Tom’s business and marketing abilities, they enjoyed educating and helping people across the USA and beyond. Tom and Janice cultivated a lovely community through their business and also enjoyed wonderful travels abroad. They enjoyed travel to France (Paris, Normandy, Southern France), Italy (Tuscany, Rome, Venice), South East Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bali) and Southern India (Chennai, Auroville, Kerala).

Tom was extremely personable and very passionate about life. He had an excellent ability to build relationships that lasted throughout his career as a hospital executive and beyond. He loved sports, travel and the outdoors. He will be remembered for his service to both his country and his career, his love of family, hard work ethic, his adventurous nature, and zest for life. His large smile and even larger personality will live on in the memories of his family and friends. He was a beloved friend, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. Tom had a big personality and was an extremely accomplished man who dedicated his life to the service of others both in his business career as well as his service for his country and community. Tom is lovingly remembered by his wife Janice, his children; Kelly, Michelle, Scott (Marissa) Zellers and Mary Kate (Eli) Zellers, step-sons Jardey (Jenn) and Corby (Jenn) and seven grandchildren. His family will be honoring him with a small, intimate memorial service.