John Thomas "Tom" Preshaw

John Thomas Preshaw, Jr. “Tom”

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name,

 you are mine. Isaiah 43:1

It is with great sadness that the family of Tom Preshaw announces his passing. John Thomas Preshaw, Jr. “Tom”, 75, of Fairbanks, Alaska, passed away peacefully at home on Mother’s Day, May 14, 2023, after many months of failing health.

Tom was born on August 27, 1947 to John T. Preshaw and Ruby Cash in Beaumont, Texas. After Tom graduated from Port Neches-Groves High School in 1965, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and traveled to many places before being stationed in Ketchikan, Alaska. Little did he know – Alaska would become home. Immediately after discharge from the Coast Guard in 1970, at 23 years old, he began his career in law enforcement. Tom joined the Ketchikan Police Department in 1970 and was hired by the Alaska State Troopers in 1974. Throughout his career he was stationed in Anchorage, Delta, Ninilchik, and Kenai/ Soldotna. In 1989 he retired at 43 years old as an AST sergeant in Fairbanks, and he went on to have many more years of employment in the security field, working at various pump stations along the pipeline with Alyeska pipeline security. Then, still young and not yet ready to hang up his uniform, he went to work for security for several years at the Federal Building in Fairbanks.

Tom had big plans and was looking forward to writing a book about the -- sometimes unbelievable -- adventures he had throughout his career. Police work was always his love and will forever be the work of which he was most proud.

In 1982, shortly after he was transferred to Fairbanks, Tom was introduced to his future wife, Sandra Stephens, by her sister-in-law, Tina. Tom and Sandra were married in 1984 and soon added two more children to their blended family of six.

Tom spent many years refereeing men’s basketball games, umpiring baseball games, coaching his kids’ basketball, softball, and baseball teams, and watching his boys’ hockey games. He enjoyed helping his kids and their friends with science fair projects throughout the years. In recent years he spent much time doing everything he could with his grandson, Landon, from watching his soccer practices and games to riding bicycles to the playground and parks around Fairbanks. The Fairbanks Children’s Museum, Pioneer Park, and Fly were their favorite places.

Tom was a member of the Elks Club where he spent many years with good friends playing weekly cribbage and Texas Hold‘em games. He was an avid Saints Football fan, and he had the most fun with his brother-in-law, Rod, playing Fantasy Football for the past 30 years.

Tom was predeceased by his parents, Jack and Ruby; sister, Judy; son, Jack; father and mother-in-law, Steve and Babe Stephens; and brother-in-law, Joe Hufman. He is survived by his wife, Sandra; daughters, Jodi, Lindsey, and Katy Lynn; sons, Harvey, Andrew, Troy, and Randy Warren; brothers, Johnny Dean and Rusty of Texas; 17 grandchildren and 4 great grandsons, as well as brothers and sisters-in-law, Rod and Sherri Stephens; Steve and Tina Stephens, Craig and Jonelle Stephens, David and Jana Stephens, Chuck Cartier, Muriel Hufman, Lisa Cartier, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

The family would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Drs. and Nurses at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital who cared for Tom during his hospital stays and the loving care from our treasured home healthcare professionals, Julie (aka Francine), Victoria, Cole, and Russell, whose visits always brightened Tom’s days.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 17th at 2 pm at Fairbanks Lutheran Church, 1012 Cowles St.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tom’s memory to the Fairbanks Children’s Museum, 302 Cushman Street, Suite 101, Fbks., AK 99701.

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