Thomas Mitchell Dobrusky
1955-2023
Tom Dobrusky was born February 15, 1955 to Thomas and Peggy Dobrusky in Cedar City, UT. He departed June 27, 2023 at the home he shared with his beloved wife, Wendy, after a long, courageous battle with colon cancer.
He joined the United States Marines Corps when he was 17 (he might have lied about his age) and served in the Philippines at the tail end of the Vietnam war. He moved to Twin Falls, ID and went on to earn a degree from the College of Southern Idaho. He married Karma in 1977 and they had three children together, Rachel, Randy and Toby. He later married Wendy in 1996, her son Jesse was barely 5 at the time, and they had Ryan together. Tom spent his working years in the tile business, and later took a job with Capital High as a grounds keeper when he was ready to slow down a bit.
Tom was an incredibly talented artist. He enjoyed working with ceramics, wood, photography, watercolor, leather, stained glass, and forging metal. Anyone who visited his home no doubt saw his favorite pieces, most notably, the painting of the topless woman in the ocean. He also enjoyed rock hunting and horticulture.
When Tom was young, he had a love for fast cars and enjoyed the Blue Lakes cruise. His kids always wanted to join… they loved the rumble of the ’68 Firebird, free popcorn at the gas station, and loud music. The evening almost always ended with a drag race in the country alongside the corn fields. Tom also loved motorcycles… his first build was a gift for Randy. He and Wendy spent several years riding motorcycles together.
After Tom was diagnosed with cancer, it was his granddaughter, Eliza, he wasn’t ready to leave yet. He held on for her and it allowed for enough time to heal the other relationships that desperately needed healing.
Tom liked to do things the right way, meaning he needed to do it himself. It didn’t matter how old, or how capable you were. He spent his last few years making beautiful raku pots and building guns with those close to him. I mean, he made them, and we got to help a little.
He had his witty sense of humor and orneriness until the very end. We sent him off in an offensive political shirt which is exactly what he wanted. He is survived by many who loved him, including his wife, his mother, his siblings, his children, his grandchildren, and so many more.
Arrangements are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City.