Tommy Wayne Rentz's Obituary
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.
What’s your fondest memory of Tommy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Tommy?
Share a story where Tommy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Tommy you’ll never forget.
How did Tommy make you smile?