Thomas J Vales

Thomas John Vales, 83, of Lac du Flambeau, WI, passed away in North Texas on July 3, 2026.
Born in Chicago, Illinois on October 27, 1942, Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Tony and Ann Vales.
Caring and fun-loving father to Katharine Ann “Kady” Vales of Hurst, TX, Thomas Starkweather Vales (Elizabeth) of Dobbs Ferry, NY, and Timothy Justin Vales of Gilbert, AZ, and grandfather to Mason Thomas Vales, Tanner Conrad Vales, and George Taggart Vales.
Tom started his profession in water treatment with Culligan in Northbrook, IL in 1962. His strong connection with people propelled his career to various leadership roles in Sales and Marketing. Eventually, a professional move led Tom to Milwaukee, WI, where he worked for Autotrol, later acquired by Osmonics, and then GE Water & Process Technologies, where he rose to Head of Marketing for North America. After 50 years in the business, Tom retired to spend the vast majority of his time at his cabin in the Northwoods.
A true mid-westerner at heart, Tom enjoyed sports, nature, animals, fishing, and kayaking. He loved to listen to music and would often stop whatever he was doing to dance a little jig to a favorite song.
In his retirement years, Tom could be found volunteering at the Wildwood Wildlife Park, playing on the pickleball court, or participating in chair volleyball at the Senior Center. He pursued all of these endeavors with both passion and affection for those around him. He will be remembered for his enthusiastic greeting to all with “PMA!” (Positive Mental Attitude), which was a mantra he truly lived by.