Thomas T Pfister

Thomas Thurman Pfister, Jr., 75 of Newport, OR, passed away on March 18, 2023 of complications from CLL - a result of agent orange. It was a long difficult fight. He was born July 23, 1948 to Thomas Thurman Pfister Sr. & Vivian (Jones) in Jacksonville, Florida. Tom grew up at Fort Myers Beach, Florida. He described it as paradise. Along with his work ethic, he learned netmaking & life lessons in his father's net shop as a young boy. He also took great pride in learning to run boats at an early age. When he was 16, he ran his first shrimp boat. He was hooked and had passion for the business. Always the competitor, he played football & baseball in high school and graduated from Ft. Myers in 1966. After graduation, he enrolled in Edison Community College. Rather than be drafted, Tom enlisted in the Army. He served in Viet Nam & returned - a combat veteran. He immediately went back to work doing what he loved. Netmaking, running boats and - shrimping from the Florida Gulf to Campeche and Dry Tortugas. In 1974 he packed his belongings and drove cross country to Newport, Oregon. He established and thrived, bringing the first net business out the west coast. He was the original "Net Man." He also had boats of his own. He was involved in the commercial fishing industry for 50 years. In the early 80's, to further his adventurous calling, he took his boat, the Driftwood to Hawaii and shrimped & fished there for a couple years. On his way back a to Oregon, he ran into someone he knew at the airport & was offered a job in Alaska. It turned out to be one the best decisions he had ever made. With his skillset - there was always work - running boats, repairing nets or whatever else came up, and he loved Alaska. He worked several seasons in Alaska, but eventually returned to Newport full time and acquired the F/V Pelican. He shrimped, crabbed, fished salmon, halibut and probably his favorite - albacore tuna. In 1998 Tom met Melody, they were married for 25 years. Tom loved promoting tuna. With Mel by his side, he partnered with Sawyer's Landing & organized the first of many tuna canning festivals. He was instrumental in the coordination of the Oregon Albacore Cookoff and proud to be appointed and serve on the Oregon Albacore Commission for several years. He is survived by his loving wife, Melody (Mohoric), sister - Kathryn, nephews - Gaylen and Rory as well as many devoted friends. Tom will truly be missed. "Rest in peace, until we meet again." The family welcomes those who would like to celebrate his life to join us from 1:00- 4:00 pm - June 10th at Yaquina Bay Yacht Club. Donations may be made to Newport Fishermans Wives.Please leave your thoughts and memories at: www.BatemanPacificview. com Celebration of Life 1:00-4:00pm June 10th at Yaquina Bay Yacht Club

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Thomas T Pfister

July 23, 1948 - March 18, 2023