Tom was called home on May 29, 2021 at the age of 82. He was born in Tinsman, Ark. on Nov. 29, 1938. He is the second child and oldest son of Norman Loyal Sartain and Doris Elizabeth Rutherford and has two sisters and one brother.
He is survived by his younger sister Linda Ringheimer Flanders of Winnemucca, Nev. and Gary Sartain, of Winnemucca, Nev. and was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Jeena Von Schott.
Tom’s family moved to Northern California when he was three and he grew up in the Eureka and Garberville area in Humboldt County. He graduated from South Fork High School in Miranda, Calif. in 1957. Tom was always industrious and loved to work with his hands from working as a mechanic to manufacturing metal buildings. He was also successful in the financial planning and insurance business and helped pioneer the first real estate investment trust tax planning investment model in California.
During the Reagan Administration, Tom participated in a study for the Department of Agriculture growing Triticale on his ranch, Great Western, in Winnemucca, Nev. in addition to utilizing the cutting edge technology of a motorized pivot system. Tom’s success provided many opportunities to travel around the world, but he always preferred spending time with his family and enjoying a “home-cooked” meal.
He met his first wife Linda Marie Tack Sartain Johnson while he was working for her father at his Mobile Station in Sonoma, Calif. They had five children together whom he is survived by: Denise McComb (Steven) of Rocklin, Calif.; Deborah Freed (Michael) of Baraboo, Wisc.; Thomas and Charlotte Sartain of Lafayette, La.; Christina Mueller (Mikael) of Mountain House, Calif. and Timothy and Jamie Sartain of Rocklin, Calif. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Tom loved the outdoors and was a hard worker his whole life. There are many cherished memories of family outings on the Eel and Russian Rivers in Northern California and Point Reyes National Seashore. He taught his children to love nature and being outdoors. Tom loved Sunday drives showing his children the places he grew up and sharing precious memories of the time he spent in his youth. 
His family is grateful for all of the heartfelt condolences and outpouring of love and support. We are especially grateful for the tender care, love and support from Rachel McKinney and the staff at Featherstone Assisted Living in Durant, Okla. Their kindness was evident at every stage of care Tom received; even up the end when Rachel stayed by his side. We will be forever grateful for the compassion that was shown to him by all those involved in his care and guardianship at APS. Tom is at peace and taken into the arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and that knowledge gives his surviving family peace during this time.
Arrangements are under the direction of Gordon Funeral Home, 221 N. Third Ave. in Durant.
Phone (580) 916-9090
www.gordonfh.com