Tom Fortner Obituary

Tom Fortner
May 24, 1938 – July 9, 2025
Tom Fortner, 87, of Monitor, WA passed away peacefully with family by his side on July 9, 2025. He was born to Keith and Nellie Fortner on May 24, 1938 in Wenatchee, Washington. He grew up in the Wenatchee valley and joined the Navy after graduating from high school. After getting out of the Navy he fell in love with and married Linda Lindstrom, attended and graduated from the University of Washington, and started a career at the Department of Defense at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. They had two children together – John and Brenda, and settled in the Port Orchard, Washington area to raise their kids before splitting up. Tom moved to Las Vegas to continue his career at the Department of Defense and worked on the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Test project. He really enjoyed his time in Vegas, but made the decision to move back to Monitor, Washington after retiring and settled back where he felt he really belonged – close to his friends and family in the Wenatchee valley. He met Connie Alston and as their friendship grew they started dating and fell in love. They lived in Monitor together until they bought a cabin on the river in Plain, Washington, where they settled in to enjoy the river life. Tom enjoyed many outdoor adventures, hiking regularly through the Cascades and sharing his love of hiking with his grandkids starting when they could barely walk! Over the years, Tom also took great pleasure in skiing, fishing, tinkering around with and restoring old cars, and puttering around in the yard. His mornings always started with coffee and donuts on the porch wherever he started his day. His special breakfast for family was his famous hotcakes, which he made every chance he got. He was a "Project Man" and loved working on house and car projects and he taught that love to his kids and grandkids. He will always be remembered as the best husband, father, and grandfather who planned great adventures for every family moment and loved his family fiercely. He was adored by his kids and grandkids and they will never forget the fun adventures he shared with them over the years. During summers spent with grandpa, he taught his grandkids how to fish from the top of the playhouse in his yard, how to ride their bikes, how to ski, and just how to have fun whatever you're doing! From hiking to picnics to rafting to fishing to skiing, he had plans for it all and he made sure his grandkids had the best grandpa moments ever. Tom – Dad – Grandpa, you will be forever missed but we know we will "See you in the Sunshine" as you frequently told us.
Tom is survived by his wife, Connie Alston, son John (Shari) Fortner, daughter Brenda (Steven) Freeman, grandkids Nate, Nick, and Amanda Fortner, Connie's children Erik (Bethany) Alston and Katrina (Taylor) Johnson, and bonus grandkids Landon Alston, Kaylie Alston, Isla Johnson, and Jett Johnson, brother Mike (Kathy) Fortner, sister Carol, half-sister Debbie, step-sister Kay, John and Brenda's mom, Linda, and a multitude of cousins and family all over the Wenatchee valley. He was preceded in death by his mother and father and his grandson Zachary Fortner. Tom's life will be celebrated the first week of September (arrangements pending). In lieu of flowers, friends and family who wish to make memorial donations in Tom's name may donate to the Washington Trails Association to help maintain the trails he loved to hike so much.