Thomas A. Moilanen

Thomas A. Moilanen, 67, formerly of L'Anse, MI passed away April 13, 2012 at home in Lake Charles, LA, surrounded by his family, after a 5-year battle with renal cell carcinoma.

Tom was born September 3, 1944, to Ed and Elsie (Karkanen) Moilanen of L'Anse at St. Joseph's Hospital in Hancock.Tom was graduated from L'Anse High School in 1962, where he played football, basketball, sang in the chorus and played a mean trombone in the band.

He was a member of several extra-curricular musical organizations such as a 15-piece "big band" and a boys' vocal double quartet that won 1st place in UP competition.

He was a long-time member of the "Golden Eagles" Drum Bugle Corps, when that group won 2 Michigan State championships and played during half-time of a Green Bay Packers

game at Lambeau Field. He attended Northern Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University and was graduated from Wayne State University.

Tom retired as president of Four Seasons Equipment Company of Louisiana after a long and successful career in the heavy equipment industry.

He had a life-long fascination with airplanes and boats, owning a Lake amphibian plane which he delighted in landing on the L'Anse bay.

He and Sharon lived for several years on a houseboat on the Contraband Bayou, which many exclaimed he should name the "Jesus H. Christ",

because those were the words uttered by all who saw its 94' length for the first time. He was a member and past commander of Lake Charles Power Squadron.

Tom was an honest and direct straight-shooter, qualities he inherited from his late father, who built homes for people on a handshake. Generous, compassionate and giving were hallmarks of his character, as well as his love of a good joke. His "crocodile smile" will be remembered by all that knew him.Of all the positions Tom held in his career, his love and devotion to his grandchildren was the job he loved most.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon (Maxon) Moilanen of Lake Charles, and his sons Todd (Jennifer) of Beverly Hills, MI and Karl (Patty) of Plymouth MI, and 6 grandchildren. He is also survived by his step-children, Jack (Mindy) Maxon of Harrisburg, OR, Amye Griffin of Mt. Clemens, MI, Kathy (Kit) Miller of Lakeland, FL, Sharon's six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Maija (Jay) Rothenberg of Chicago, brother Rik Moilanen of L'Anse, 1 niece, Rowan Balagot of Austin TX and 2 nephews,

Jordan Balagot of Los Angeles, and Dan Nestel, Salt Lake City.

Celebrations of Tom's life will be held both in Lake Charles and L'Anse, MI. Tom will be sent back to his home state of Michigan for burial in L'Anse Evergreen Cemetery. Local visitation will be on today, Monday April 16, 2012 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM and Tuesday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM with funeral services at 2:00 PM Tuesday April 17, 2012 at Johnson Funeral Home.