Mr. Ware was born Dec. 27, 1933, to David and Mary Lou Ware in Dudley, Ga. In 1952, he joined the U.S. Army, where he served in the Korean War as a medic and drove an ambulance until he was honorably discharged in 1955.

Mr. Ware became a resident of Alaska in 1966, when he moved to Sterling. In 1978, he started Sterling Auto Parts and Sterling Auto 24 Hour Towing. He owned and operated his two businesses for more than 40 years. In March 2006, he retired, selling both his businesses. His love for towing showed in the tow trucks he owned and the dedication he had of helping others.

He was a member of the Abundant Life Assembly of God Church in Sterling.  

The family wrote, “Thomas was a very special man. He worked hard to build his businesses and had a great love for people. He loved all children and loved to visit and talk to everyone. He was special and now he is in the arms of Jesus. He loved his family and get-togethers. He loved life.”

Mr. Ware was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Lou and David Mitchell Ware, and brothers David and Joe Ware. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Helen Ware of Sterling; daughters and sons-in-law, Patty and Jack Bennett of Sterling and Debbie and John Junkert of Soldotna; grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Josh and Deann Bennett of Anchorage; grandsons, Leonard Dickerson of Sterling, Kyle Dickerson of Soldotna and Allan McJimsey of Texas; great-grandson, Gavin Bennett of Anchorage; brothers, George, Lawson and Floyd Ware all of Dublin, Ga., and Finn Ware of Illinois; sister, Christine Passmen of Dudley, Ga.; and a community of close friends.

Flowers may be sent to the Abundant Life Assembly of God Church in Sterling, 32940 N. Sterling Highway, Sterling, AK 99672.

Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.