He was born March 1, 1915, at the family home on Hitchcock Road, the fifth child of John William Storm and Ellen Daisy 'Nell' Hughes Storm. His father's family settled in Salinas in 1867, and his mother's, the Hughes family, settled in Salinas in 1868.

Tom attended Central Grammar School, graduated from Salinas High School in 1934 and attended the University of California, Davis. Tom met the love of his life, Dorothy Ruth Abbott, at an eighth grade picnic, but he would say it took until they were sophomores to get her to go steady. They were married on Nov. 26, 1939, and raised their three children in the same home where Tom was born and raised. Dorothy preceded him in death on Feb. 1, 1988. In 1990, Tom married an old friend, Virginia LaFranchi Olsen, and they enjoyed each other's company until her death in 1998. Virginia's children and grandchildren will always have fond memories of Tom's kindness and acceptance into his family.

Tom continued his father's trade of farming until he retired in 1969. During retirement he spent much time traveling with Dorothy and they enjoyed playing golf while at their home in Palm Springs. He was always busy with his cattle ranching business, his horses, his best friend Johnny Richards, their dogs and his family. Tom loved to play cards and watch sports throughout his life.

Always one to work quietly in the background, Tom was a life member of the Monterey County Sheriff's Posse, a life member of the Salinas Elks, a member of St. Joseph's parish, a former member of Sacred Heart Church, a former member of the Monterey County Farm Bureau, Monterey County Cattleman, and a former volunteer at the Salinas California Rodeo for many years. This year would have marked the 85th straight year that Tom attended the rodeo.

Tom is survived by his son, Jim and his wife, Carol, of Salinas, and their children, Sheree, Tom and Sara; his daughter, Sandra and her husband, Jeff Fetter, of Salinas, and her children, Bill Row and Stacey Row; and his son, Steve and his wife, Roxanne, of Salinas, and their children, Chris, Nick and Courtney. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Lukas, Liam, Dylan, Tenaya, Owen, Skyler, Katie and Wyatt.

We will always member his ever-present smile, his warmth, kindness and natural grace. He made others better by setting an outstanding example of how to live life in a positive and meaningful, but quiet way.

Visitation: 1 to 5 p.m. Monday, July 18, at Struve and Laporte Funeral Chapel, 41 W. San Luis St., Salinas.

Vigil service:7 p.m. Monday, July 18, at the mortuary chapel.

Mass:11 a.m. Tuesday, July 19, at St. Joseph's Church, Spreckels.

Memorials: St. Joseph's Parish Building Fund, PO Box 7158, Spreckels, CA; Visiting Nurse Association/Hospice, 957-A Blanco Circle, Salinas, CA 93901; or donor's favorite charity.

Tom was a Posse member from 1942 until his death in 2005

Tom along with Pete Phillips was 1979 Posse Team Roping Champion