Thomas Arnold Berkeland, age 68, of Salem, Ore., passed away, April 1, 2020, from complications with cancer.
Tom was born April 27, 1951, in Salem, Ore. to Arnold and Irene Berkeland. He graduated from North Salem High School in 1969 and played drums in a garage band called Butterfly at Night, with several friends.
Tom loved to work, especially in the grocery and distributing industry. From a young age, he started sweeping the parking lot at the local Safeway. Throughout his years he worked at Central Market, Coca Cola, Morgan Distributing and retired from Columbia Distributing in 2017. He loved the people he worked with and the contacts he made in sales.
Tom was a volunteer for 16 years with the Keizer Fire District. He helped install Christmas lights on River Road, deliver Christmas food boxes to the needy, and was a member of the Keizer Elks lodge. Tom spent his free time restoring and exchanging classic cars, going to the state fair, attending music concerts and being around friends. Tom will be missed.
Tom is survived by his wife of 35 years, Linda, and their two children, Blake Berkeland and Brianna (Chase) Berry, as well as two children from his first marriage, Kara (Joe) Youngblutt and Angela (Chris) Padian and eight grandchildren. He is also survived by three siblings: Sharon (Bruce) Brown, Jerry (Susan) Wentzel and Sandy Wentzel.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents Arnold and Irene Berkeland.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations be made to the Keizer Fire District. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.