Thomas Michael Alvarez Born Aug 26, 1946 - Passed Nov 29, 2025,

 

Tom, also known as Tommy, Woody and Stinker

Came to this earth as an adventurer, a warrior, a savor of lives, a wonderful husband and father. 

 

Tom was the first born in Santa Cruz, California to Henry (Hank) and Barbara Alvarez. Later came his sister Carol Anne Alvarez, (and 2 brothers) Ed (Peach) Borges, Anthony (Tony) Borges and Mick Borges.

 

Tom grew up poor in Northern California in the ranch areas. He was rough kid and excelled in tough. Played, climbed trees, rode horses, stayed out until the sun went down.

Tom took care of his brothers and sister while mom was at work trying to make a living for them all.

 

Starting school, he got kicked out of kindergarten for sneaking out of class and going home a lot.

Didn't like wearing shoes. 

So, they decided to take him to San Francisco and put him with one of his many cousins his age to try and keep him in school. It worked.

 

Once in high school, the family moved to San Diego, and he started advancing into sports.

Wrestling, baseball and bowling, etc. 

 

When he graduated, he was drafted into the Army.

Tom was tested and moved into the medical field and became a Medic. 

Off to Vietnam with 4 of his cousins. He was sent with the troops to battle Pleiku North Vietnam.

 

Tom had many challenges in his tour. One in particular, is when he charged into a burning crashed helicopter and got all the men out just in time for it to blow up.

Tom received the Medal of Honor. Later on, at the end of his tour, he ended up getting hit with shrapnel and spent the last 4 months in different hospitals until he was sent home. This put a chip on his shoulder, and he became very mean.

 

He then married Rosemary, which was a neighbor and school friend.

Had 2 great children, Tommy and Christina.

 

He started first in the electrical industry, then he started a career in telephone communications.

He moved his family to northern California and when they left, he ended up staying to himself for about 10 years. In that time his son joined him. 

 

He started working as a bartender and a logger until he found work back in the telephone industry and worked all over California and other states.

Tom stayed very involved with his many relatives along the way. He was well thought of by them. Everybody liked Tom (Woody).

 

One day he was working in southern Cal and found his forever Wife Debi.

He changed. He dropped the chip on his shoulder over time and became Tsundere. 

He lived a pretty happy life and would tell jokes to everyone and stories.

 

Moved up to Coeur D Alene Idaho and began bowling again.

 

Going blind, he joined the Blind Veterans Association Later became a Treasurer for a couple of years.

 

Later moved to Spokane Washington for a couple of years, but then moved down to Chino Valley, Arizona for the weather.

 

The Agent Orange had been taking over. Destroying his body and organs over time. One thing after another started failing.

 

Tom fought hard to keep going but it was a losing battle. He passed away at 12:45am November 29, 2025, at the Carl T Hayden VA Hospital in Phoenix Arizona.

 

Tom is survived by his Wife Debi, Stepdaughter Trishanne Foster, Stepson Joseph Foster, Son Thomas (Tommy) Alvarez Jr, Daughter Christina (Christi) Gonzalez.

Grandson Michael Alvarez, Granddaughters Barbara Jean Alvarez, Patricia Gonzalez, Natalie Gonzalez.

Brother Edward (Peach) and his wife Bella Borges, Brother Anthony (Tony) and his wife Debbie Borges,

Brother Mick and his wife Cathy Borges One living Aunt Delores (Dottie) La Meira. and several cousins and a slew of friends everywhere he's been.