Thomas Charles Feldhusen

MARQUETTE — Former local radio and television personality Tom Feldhusen died Saturday, December 2, at his home in Marquette, Michigan. His wife Patricia and twin daughters Jamie Feldhusen and Joie Graves were there with him.

The long-time news and sportscaster may be best remembered for co-hosting the popular "Déjà Vu" morning talk show on WJPD-AM radio, where he was news director for nearly 30 years. WJPD had offices in Marquette and Ishpeming, Michigan.

Tom started his on-air career at WGON-AM radio in his hometown of Munising, Michigan, after short stints teaching government at William G. Mather High School and as a sales representative for Lakeshore Ford, both in Munising. He also worked several years as evening news anchor for WLUC-TV6 in Marquette, retiring from broadcasting in 2003.

Born Thomas Charles Feldhusen June 16, 1939, in Escanaba, Michigan, Tom was the oldest of Henry and Dorothy (Kuder) Feldhusen's six children. He attended Sacred Heart Elementary School in Munising, took his freshman year of high school at Fenwick High in Oak Park, Illinois, then returned to Munising to complete his secondary education at Mather. He graduated in 1957.

Tom started his college career at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, transferring to Northern Michigan University (NMU) in Marquette, after taking some time out to devote to family. He and all five of his brothers and sisters earned bachelor's degrees from NMU. Tom was degreed in broadcast journalism, having majored in history and minored in speech.

As high school football players, Tom and younger brother Mike had a reputation for making an unusually big and formidable front line for the Mather Mustangs. Tom was a tackle. He also played high school basketball and baseball, played softball and baseball for Munising city teams, and golfed well into adulthood.

Tom and the former Patricia Mattila were married October 25, 1980 in Negaunee, near where they lived for the next 16 years. It was then, in 1996, they built their dream home on the Michigamme River in Patricia's hometown of Republic. They called the cabin Wood Duck, decorating it with stained glass art they crafted together in their basement workshop. For years, the couple hosted annual New Year's Day parties there for their extended families.

While living in Republic, Tom served variously on the Board of Education for the Republic-Michigamme Schools, the Republic Township Board, and the Republic Township Planning Commission.

Earlier, he sat on the board of directors for North Star Academy in Marquette, acted as a mentor and facilitator in Proud Fathers, a program of Child and Family Services of the Upper Peninsula in Marquette, coached his twin daughters' junior high school basketball team, and sang with the Munising Vanguard Singers men's chorus.

Tom later sang in the choir at Republic's St. Augustine Catholic Church, where he was a member, also giving of his time as a lay minister, usher, altar server, pasty maker, teaching CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) and Faith Formation classes, and serving on the Parish Council. Tom was much in demand for his "radio voice," as well, as a lector during regular services and special functions at St. Augustine and at his home church, Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Munising.

For 26 years, Michigan's rifle deer hunting season found Tom at what they dubbed "Camp No-Buck" with his father, brothers and the occasional "designated hunter." Camp No-Buck convened at Stolen Hours, the family camp on Baldy Lake in the Hiawatha National Forest near Munising. Cribbage was the group's diversion of choice, and it's said the "cards moved fast."

Lately, Tom, 84, and Patricia have been dividing their time between their cabin in Republic and an apartment in Marquette. He was under the care of Upper Peninsula Home Health and Hospice in Marquette, when he died.

The one-time commentator, who always answered the telephone with a chipper "Yellow!" offered the same advice on parting with friends and family alike: "Be careful when you're driving. You've got precious cargo." He signed off his shows with this for his listeners: "And that's the news. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day."

Tom is survived by his wife and twin daughters, both of Marquette, and by: son Michael (Allison) of Salem, Massachusetts; daughter Tommie Sue Oakley of Lakewood, Washington; grandchildren Amanda Shutt, Kirstyn Rosip, Hailey Graves, and Kyle J. Graves; great-granddaughter Meredith Shutt; two brothers, Henry "Hank" (Janet) of Caspian and David of Green Bay; one sister, Mary Feldhusen of Gladstone; numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews; many cousins; his sister-in-law Donna Kmiecik of Mason, Michigan; brother-in-law Kim (Theresa) Mattila of Republic; and his canine companion, Piper.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, brother Michael, sister Barbara Feldhusen, sister-in-law Jacquelyn Feldhusen, parents-in-law Leslie and Mary "Bonnie" Mattila, and brother-in-law Alfred Kmiecik.

Tom's family will welcome visitors from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, December 9, at St. Augustine Church, 626 Kloman Ave. in Republic. Services will start at 1 p.m. at the church, with a luncheon to follow at 2 p.m. in the church hall.

Memorial considerations may be directed to St. Augustine Catholic Church 626 Kloman Ave. Republic, MI 49879 in memory of Tom.

The family is being helped by Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home in Ishpeming.