Mr. Thomas S. Liston, 79, of Surprise, Arizona died at 1:30pm on Monday, May 21, 2018, at his home. He was born June 21, 1938 in Linton, Indiana to Joyce Lorraine Sherwood and Harold Chester Liston. Tom is survived by his wife Frances Joan Alpaugh, daughter Stephanie Way Liston, granddaughter Genevieve Marianne Liston-Oakden, as well as his sisters-in- law Carol Liston, Marty Dapogny and Jana Way.
Tom Liston graduated from Knoxville High School in 1958. He attended Indiana University and later the University of Illinois where he completed a bachelor of science degree in accountancy and economics. While in college, he participated in the Army ROTC program and received his commission as a lieutenant in the US Quartermaster Corps in 1962. Before taking up his commission in Germany, Tom completed a one year internship with Arthur Anderson.
As a lieutenant in the Quartermaster’s Corps, Tom had his first experiences in the world of retail. We was responsible for managing the supply chain to military and clothing stores in Germany. His work earned him a commendation award for his success in resolving conflicts and streamlining supply operations. When he was transferred to Liberia in 1964, he faced similar challenges.
Tom returned to the US in 1964. He married Susan Way in October 1965 in Galesburg, Illinois. He continued building his very successful career in retail with Montgomery Ward, where he built one of the first computerised retail databases in 1967. In 1971, Tom was recruited to Abraham & Strauss in New York as Vice President Accounting. The Broadway, a Carter Hawley Hale Store, recruited Tom to its Southern California Division in 1975 as Vice President, Finance. His excellence in finance and retailing was recognised again when he was appointed to be the President of the National Retail Merchant’s Association. He was hired to be Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, of Gump’s in San Francisco in 1982. During his leadership of Gump’s from 1982 – 1989, he expanded Gump’s to Houston, Dallas and Beverly Hills. Tom was a fine manager throughout his career, eliciting loyalty and fondness from all those who had the good fortune to report to him. Following his time at Gump’s, from 1989 - 1996 he worked with Crescent Jewelers and Barry’s Jewelers, in Pasadena. Tom, Susan and Stephanie moved seven times in the course of Tom’s ever more successful career.
Tom and Susan moved to Surprise Arizona when this appointment was complete. Stephanie is an attorney and moved to London in 1992. Tom and Susan travelled to the UK whenever possible. Susan was diagnosed with melanoma cancer in 1996 and died at home in November 1998.
Their granddaughter, Genevieve, was born in 1995 and will be graduating from the University of St Andrews in Scotland in June 2018. Tom was a wonderful Father and Grandfather. His favourite sayings included “if you work hard enough, you can do anything” and “the world is your oyster”. He has been a great supporter and advocate for Stephanie and Genevieve’s education, inspiring and enabling them to succeed throughout their college careers and beyond. In Stephanie’s case, through her JD and LL.M, encouraging her to explore the world - which ultimately led to her relocating to the UK. His continuing love, enthusiasm and career advice helped Stephanie progress her career as an international lawyer qualified in three jurisdictions.
Tom met Frances Joan Alpaugh in her bereavement group in Surprise. Both Tom and Joan sadly lost their spouses at around the same time from melanoma cancer. Joan and Tom were married in June of 2000. His great skills as a finance director were once again in demand and he was recruited to help both E-Funds and PetSmart to turn around their financial position, fix problems with the SEC and restructure their debt. So – he went back to work in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.9.5