Thomas "Tommy" K. Isaacs

Thomas Keith Isaacs passed away Thursday, December 29, 2022 in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.  He was born in Scranton, Kansas on February 12, 1947 to Hazel Marie Phillips Isaacs and Leal Alden Isaacs.

Tom was born at home in Scranton, Kansas, joining his two older sisters, Ferne Isaacs Rogers and LeAnn lsaacs Croucher. He attended Scranton Public Schools, graduating with 14 others from Scranton High School in 1965 as Valedictorian. He played football and basketball and participated in track, lettering in all. He went on to attend the College of Emporia, tried out for the football team his freshman year, made the team but on the kick-off of the very first game, he tore his meniscus thus ending his football career.  He served on some student committees and was a member of the Quill club. He met Elaine Baade in the fall of his Junior year but didn't begin dating her until the fall of his Senior year.  Tom worked as an assistant in the Chemistry Dept. at C of E, and graduated from C of E in 1969 with a GPA of 3.33 majoring in Chemistry and Math and minoring in Physics. Tom married Elaine on August 16, 1969 in her home town of Brush, Colorado. That fall he enrolled in a Masters Program in Physical Chemistry at Kansas State University in Manhattan.  He served as a Teaching Assistant there.  When one of his students saw him talking to Elaine and asked him if that was his wife, he replied, "as far as you're concerned she is." Although Tom had worked throughout high school and college, his first professional job was at Texas Instruments in Sherman, Texas as a Process Engineer. After being laid off there, he began a start-up company, Chemizer, with a friend, manufacturing cleaning solutions. He had many funny experiences and a lot of hard work with this company.  When the company failed to make a living profit, he returned to Texas Instruments, working at their Houston facility. While working there and living in Sugarland, he and Elaine had 3 children, Priscilla (1976), Timothy (1978) and Amanda (1979). In 1983, he was recruited by Intel, thus moving the family to Rio Rancho. The job was not a good fit, so there were more jobs to follow including a position with Kirk Mayer, contractor to Sandia Labs.  While with them, he obtained a C-Level Security Clearance.  When the Kirk Mayer contract with the labs expired, he did some independent consulting with former Tlers.  Consulting took him from California to New York. While in New York, he worked for SDC, which built high quality reclaim machines, and he had plans to move the family to Socrates, New York, the site of Woodstock ll, which was happening while he was there.  Wanting to return home, he accepted a position as Manufacturing Manager with Sumitomo, which brought him back to Rio Rancho.  While working for Sumitomo he traveled several times to Japan.  Later, a reorganization of the company landed him in purchasing and planning and he was transferred to Phoenix as shipping and receiving scheduler.  After a lay-off by Sumitomo, he worked as a substitute teacher, which may have always been his hidden talent and desire. Tom served as an assistant Scout Master and became a member of The Order of the Arrow, along with his son Tim. He participated in many scouting activities, hikes and camping trips.  Tom enjoyed Golf, watching sports, traveling, cars, cooking, and attending church activities. He volunteered with the Colinas Backpack Program, Habitat for Humanity as Relay for Life.

Tom was brought up in the Scranton Free Methodist Church in Scranton, Kansas.  He always had a strong faith and a belief in giving of his time, talents and finances.  When he married Elaine, he was introduced to her Presbyterian background. They briefly attended Presbyterian Churches in both Sherman and Sugarland, Texas. They began attending the New Church Development that was to be chartered and known as Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church, while it was still meeting in the home of Rev. Kay and George Huggins.  Tom participated fully in this new church, becoming a member of Session and heading up the Building Committee. He worked tirelessly with Rev Huggins, the architect and other committee members to see that the building the church now calls home would fir the needs of the congregation and the community.  He accompanied the youth on one of their mission trips to Mora and was an adult mentor for Presbyterian Youth Connection at Slippery Rock.  He served multiple terms as an Elder, remaining as an active member even when his work was out of town.  During his final term on session, Tom was instrumental in bringing the MOPS program to the church and supporting and finalizing the church's partnership with Share Your Care.  Tom was serving as an Elder when he was diagnosed with Front Temporal dementia in 2010.  He shared the news with the elders and deacons at their annual retreat. The church has been supportive throughout his illness.  

Tom was devoted to his family and church, always putting them first.  He never met a stranger, always talking to anyone, usually telling a story or a joke.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leal Alden Isaacs and Hazel Marie Phillips Isaacs; brother-in-law, Glen Croucher; and brother-in-law, Duane Baade.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Elaine Baade Isaacs of Rio Rancho, NM; daughter and son-in-law, Priscilla and Josh Landon of Chandler, AZ; son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Rebecca Isaacs of Rio Rancho, NM; daughter and son-in-law, Amanda and Jonathan Ball of Rio Rancho, NM; sister and brother-in-law, Ferne and Don Rogers of Port Charlotte, FL; sister, LeAnne Croucher of Overbrook, KS; grandchildren, Tyler Landon, Kaitlyn Landon, Bailey Isaacs, Addyson Landon, Savannah Ball and Cameron Isaacs; numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 AM, January 14, 2023, Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church, 1004 24th St, Rio Rancho, NM 87124.

Tom served all he met with a tender heart and a humble mind. - 1 Peter 3:8

Memorial contributions may be made in Tom's honor to Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church Capital Campaign Fund, 1004 24th St, Rio Rancho, NM 87124.

Special Thank You Note:  Tom's family deeply appreciates all the love and support provided throughout this journey, and especially the support and care given by the staff at the Retreat, the Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church, and Share Your Care.