Jackie Evans Lueder

Posted on: Oct 25, 2026 at 6:45 PM

n Memory - Thomas Carl Lueder
Thomas "Tom" Carl Lueder passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of July 2, 2026, in Santa Rosa at the age of seventy-eight. Tom was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many. Those who knew him saw him as steady, caring, and committed in anything he took on. Those traits fostered love and respect in friends and family alike.
Born on June 29, 1948, in Fresno, California, to parents Carl and Betty Lueder, Tom grew up as older brother to sister Nancy and brother Chris. After a few years of living and growing in Fresno and Chowchilla, the family moved north to the city of Belmont, California, to put down some serious roots with other young, post-war families, making for a tight-knit, nurturing, neighborhood.
As the oldest child of the Lueder kids, Tom naturally fell into the role of leader. As a youngster, he was heavily influenced by his ex-marine father. Carl worked long and hard as a high school teacher and football coach at Capuchino High School. The U.S.
Marines ethos served Carl, and, by extension, Tom well. Hard work, giving everything one had to give, tackling the hard and challenging jobs, all while looking out for your buddy's best interests worked for both - well, most of the time. Carl was always willing to provide frequent, military-inspired "buzz" cuts to all the boys in the neighborhood.
That was a tough sell to Tom and the guys who, in the early 1960s, were more drawn to the mop-top style, popular at the time. Whatever the length of his hair, he started dating in high school and soon met and began dating a classmate at Carlmont High School, Jackie Evans. Dating led to a love that lasted a life time. They married in 1967. Jackie gave birth to their son, Eric, and Tom got serious about finding a career in the young Silicon Valley. He landed a job in the design and drafting of integrated circuits that kept the family comfortable and kept him interested and busy, but something was missing.
He wanted more from a career, and in 1974, after adding fire science to his studies at the College of San Mateo, he found it, his career. He entered the fire service with the San Leandro Fire Department and never again questioned his career choice, not for a moment. Tom worked with pride, determination, and passion at SLFD and later Alameda County Fire. He rose through the ranks to Captain, and along the way picked up the nickname Captain Huggie due to his long, hugs that he offered freely to those who needed one. He was a strong and caring leader, always willing to help a fellow firefighter learn and advance through coaching, training, and mentoring (plus bonus hugs). One of the highlights of his career was being a charter member and a developer of the Critical Incidents Debrief Team for the fire department, whose business it was to care for and appropriately treat those firefighters who were or would inevitably be affected by the traumas they experienced on the job. Hugs helped here, too. While working a demanding schedule and raising an energetic youngster, Tom and Jackie longed for a quiet place that they could truly call home. In 1980, they built their dream home on a portion of Jackie's grandparents' (Bert and Julia Elliott) apple and walnut ranch in the hills outside of Occidental, surrounded by towering redwoods. The build was a full family affair, with Tom's and Jackie's parents (Carl & Betty Lueder, Jack and Wilma Evans) and son Eric offering their skills, experience, and labor along the way.
Retiring from the department in 2003, Tom turned to new passions like motorcycle riding, traveling the with Jackie and teaching an occasional fire science class at Santa Rosa Junior College. He was also into trap shooting and supporting Jackie's dog training and scent-work (dog) competitions. He was a dedicated and loving grandfather to Natasha. Perhaps he was his happiest when spending time and hosting friends and family at the family cabin at Lake Tahoe or at home on Joy Road in the house that Jackie and Tom had built together to forever celebrate their love.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Betty and Carl. Tom is survived by his loving, devoted wife of 59 years, Jackie; their wonderful son, Eric (Debbi); their adorable-and-talented-since-birth granddaughter, Natasha (Kevin); their beloved dog, Lacey J; a fabulous sister, Nancy (Vinaye); a great brother, Chris (Donna); and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews to round out the family.
Tom has left to us a legacy of dedication, strength, and love for family and friends.
A parting quote: "Proceed as if Success is Inevitabl

Happy Birthday Bill!

Posted on: Oct 07, 2026 at 10:43 AM

My beloved husband passed away 7/2/2026

Posted on: Jun 07, 2026 at 1:33 AM

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Posted on: Dec 12, 2016 at 5:41 PM

Nancy, You are right. 2nd grade at Barrett. Hugs Tom

Posted on: Oct 15, 2016 at 11:24 PM

I saw you in the Reunion pictures. You look beautiful as always. Tom looks good too!


I saw you in the reunion pictures. You look beautiful as always. And Tom looks good too!

Posted on: Sep 27, 2016 at 8:33 PM

Posted on: Sep 24, 2016 at 8:41 AM

Hi George, are you coming to the reunion?
How did you end up in Colorado, & how do you like the area?
I know to many questions!
Jackie