Tommy Wayne Rentz

Tommy Wayne Rentz was the first child born to Florence LaBabe Covington and Tommy James Rentz on November 18, 1940 in Los Angeles California. His independent and innovative spirit became apparent when a child. At the age of 10, Tommy removed the rear wheels off an old vehicle and hooked a lumber saw to one of the lug nuts. He used the vehicle as a power source to operate the saw allowing the neighborhood kids to cut eucalyptus trees with very little effort. With the wood, he and other kids built bonfires in his parents orange grove. When he was a little older, Tommy, with his brothers, Noel and Danny, dug out a swimming pool by hand in his parents backyard. Tommy created a waterfall from a nearby ditch to fill the pool and designed a filtration system to make the murky water more clear. Tommy had a pioneering spirit. He was always off in search of a new adventure- from helping his uncles herd sheep on Boulder mountain, to homesteading in Wassila, Alaska. He got married in 1959 to Sally Henderson. From this union was born one daughter and three sons: Keri Lee Rentz Boren, Troy Rentz and twins- Tyler and Torrey Rentz. This young family journeyed around the West calling various places home: California, Idaho, Utah, and the most memorable- Whidbey Island, WA, where Tommy built an “A-frame cabin.” Tommy worked various jobs that furthered his interests in electronics and renewable energy resources. Sally and Tommy divorced in 1974, and he married Elvira S. Gallardo in late 1975. They were together until their divorce in 1981. Tommy met Lou Ellen Kaufman soon after that time and their bond was so strong that she was willing to relocate from Utah to Alaska. They were married on Valentine’s Day in 1984 and were together until her death in 2014. While married, they had many adventures together homesteading, canoeing, dog-running, berry-picking, and exploring the outdoors together in Alaska, Utah, and Camano Island, Washington. Though he enjoyed the solitude that nature provided, Tommy had also taken his children on a few memorable experiences: sailing among islands in the Puget Sound, fashioning home-made wind turbines to the back of his camper, and road-tripping through Canada to Alaska. These infrequent adventures did not meet up to the constant, guiding influence he could have been as a steady father. It became apparent in his slowing years that he chose to live in closer proximity to his children. It is felt that some redemption or comfort was petitionined in doing this. May the Lord also assist him in this willingness when reconnection, reconciliation and salvation are sought. Tommy passed quietly in the evening of May 28, 2024. Perhaps he will be reunited with the love of his life, Lou, and others who preceded him in death including his beloved dog Peaches, and his father and mother. A memorial is being planned for friends and family to gather and remember Tommy Wayne Rentz to be announced at a later date.

Tommy Wayne Rentz

November 18, 1940 - May 28, 2024