Thomas W. Heide

Former Moses Lake resident Thomas Wendell Heide, 24, passed away Saturday, April 15, 2006, in Fairbanks, Alaska, at his home.

Thomas was born Jan. 20, 1982, in Bellevue to Wendell and Cassandra Heide. Thomas graduated from Moses Lake High School in 2000. Thomas was a student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and was employed by NANA Corp. at UAF's Wood Center. Among his many interests he loved working with small engines and seeing how things worked. He also loved his cats, Zena and Zamis. His family said that Thomas was polite, friendly and always willing to help. He was dependable, honest and trustworthy.

An avid karate student, Thomas was awarded his green belt posthumously, and the belt was signed by his instructor and all the students in his class. His family said, "Thomas was a wonderful, kind, gentle, and caring person. We were so proud of him and loved him deeply."

He is survived by his parents, Wendell and Cassandra Heide of Fairbanks, Alaska; brother, Nicholas Heide of Winter Haven, Fla.; sister, Amanda Fletcher of Kirkland; grandparents, Arthur and Susan Heide of Ephrata, and Elizabeth Sprague of Seattle; nieces, Daysha and Reily Fletcher of Kirkland; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and many friends.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, April 22, at the family's Moses Lake home. Arrangements were by Fairbanks Funeral Home.