July 18, 1933 -April 27, 2024 Laguna Beach, CA Thomas Norbert Fuelling passed away on April 27, 2024, in Newport Beach at the age of 90 with family members by his side, including Sherry, his loving wife of more than 65 years.

Tom was born and raised in Woodburn, Indiana and after high school followed his older sister to Southern California. He attended Pasadena City College and then joined the Naval Reserve, where he served for two years before enrolling at the University of Southern California.

He studied Marketing and was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity before graduating in 1958.

His career began with Lawry’s Foods, Inc. where he started selling Seasoned Salt and over the years traveled the world and rose through the ranks to lead the Company’s sales and marketing organization. In 1988, he became President and led the transition from a family-owned company of“co-workers” to a subsidiary of Unilever before retiring in 1997 after 40 years.

Tom enjoyed playing golf, fly fishing, traveling with friends, and was an avid USC Trojan football supporter and past president of Cardinal &Gold. He was an active board advisor to Lawry's Restaurants and a past member of the California Club and Annandale Golf Club. He also volunteered with several charitable organizations including Swim with Mike, where he was named as Volunteer of the Year in 2015.

In 1970, Tom and Sherry settled in Arcadia and raised their 3 children – Tom, Rob and Katie. Despite a busy work schedule, Tom always made time for his family and organized vacations featuring hiking, camping, boating and skiing in Utah and the Sierras. However, his favorite spot was Mammoth Lakes where he and Sherry bought a second home and hosted many family gatherings.

In 1998, Tom and Sherry moved to Laguna Beach and spent the last 25 years enjoying the beach, developing new friendships and becoming active in the local community including serving as a Commodore of the Shaw’s Cove Yacht Club. Tom stayed in close touch with his grandchildren, who called him Papa, with weekly texts and drove many miles to watch their extracurricular activities and sporting events.

Tom is predeceased by his parents, Norbert and Betty Fuelling, sister Sheila Mayer and grandson Patrick Lynch.

He is survived by his wife Sherry, his three children and their spouses - Tom and Susan Fuelling, Rob and Annette Fuelling, and Katie and Kevin Lynch -and his seven surviving grandchildren – Kaitlin and Meghan Fuelling, Robbie, Mike and Dan Fuelling, and Jack and Ellie Lynch.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in his honor to www.MammothLakesRecreation.org.