Tom passed away peacefully at home, in the presence of his wife, Janet on Friday morning, January 15, 2016. Tom was born December 26, 1944, in San Jose, CA to William and Rosemary Esperson and spent most of his life in Sunnyvale, before moving to Gilroy seven years ago.
Tom graduated from Sunnyvale High School, San Jose State with a BA in Business Administration and the University of Santa Clara Law School. He practiced Family and Medical Malpractice Law and spent many years in contract administration/procurement for the Defense Industry. His primary employer was GTE Government Systems Corporation in Mountain View.
When Tom married Janet, he acquired and embraced her family: daughter, Jennifer Mariscal and her husband, Chacho and grandchildren, Kayden, Alina, and Daniel and son, Brett Moody and his wife, Jenny and grandchildren, Drew and Lily.
Janet and Tom had a wonderful and fun marriage and a highlight was their trip to Paris.
Tom is also survived by his brother, William Esperson of Tennessee, and sisters, Melba Summers of Texas and Billie Hayes of San Jose, CA.
Throughout his life, Tom had many interests including rock climbing, sailing, running, bird watching, snow camping, traveling, Chinese cooking, working on his computer, reading, and watching sports on TV.
Tom loved people and enjoyed spending time with family and friends.
Tom was passionate about the environment and in 1990, received the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter Conservation Award for Outstanding Achievement and dedication to preserving Bayland and coastal reserve areas.
Florence LaRiviere, Founder of the Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge, writes the following:
Tom walked along the edges of the bay and observed destruction of the wetlands. He was not one to bemoan what was happening and do nothing. He was a Charter Member of the Citizens Committee to Complete The Refuge and immediately jumped into the battles.
He spoke at public meetings, submitted documents to agencies, and prowled the marshes with an eagle eye.
Tom never missed a meeting and to the end of his life, encouraged and supported us.
He loved the natural world and he turned that affection into action.
What a loss for us he is, but he has left a legacy of devotion and advocacy for what he loved.
