Thomas Valen Gilmore died in Anchorage, Alaska on Nov. 20, 2021, at the age of 44.
Tom was born in Cordova on Sept. 28, 1977, to Wayne and Gloria Gilmore (Schoening). He was raised in Cordova and lived briefly in Anchorage in his late teens before moving to Seattle, Washington.
Tom worked to help homeless teens, and he also worked as a chef for several years. He was a very good cook. It was a passion he shared in common with his father. He did security for shows at the Paramount and Moore Theater, and most recently, worked as a night front desk clerk at the Moore Hotel. He was a quiet man with a genuine smile that would light up a room.
Tom is survived by his children, lan and Eric Bessette; and Alex, Ariana and Annie Eaglespeaker; his sisters, Oma Gilmore, Ginny Hayes; and his brother, Dusty Wright.
He was preceded in death by his father, Wayne Gilmore, and his mother, Gloria Schoening.
His ashes will be spread on Egg Island with his father early next summer. There will be a small memorial service at that time.
