Thomas D. Prescott Jr.

Thomas Prescott Jr Thomas Prescott passed away at home on January 6, 2023. After 10 years of successful treatments for multiple myeloma cancer, he lost his battle to complications from pneumonia and interstitial lung disease. Tom is survived by his wife Peggy and son Tony, sister Georgia (Donna Menzies) and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by daughter Lara, sister Claudia Nickum and his parents Tom and Marie Prescott. Tom was a proud Napa native and his friendships from Napa High continued all his life. At a young age, his dad instilled in him a relentless work ethic. His early jobs included everything from prune picking to work at Jefferson Food Market, Lawler’s, Kaiser Steel and Napa County Mosquito Abatement. After a less than stellar start at Napa College and Chico State, Tom Sr suggested it was time to enlist in the Army. At Ft. Ord, Tom’s best friend was Tony Smith who took him home to San Francisco one weekend and introduced him to his sister Peggy. That was the beginning of a 57- year loving relationship. When Tom returned to Chico, he discovered the joy of learning (although Delta Psi life was sometimes a distraction.) After graduating, he received his teaching credential from UC Davis and began his career in education at Silverado Middle School. Two years later he and Peggy moved to Arizona for graduate school. When they returned, Tom worked in Fairfield where he taught at Charles L. Sullivan Middle School and Fairfield High and eventually moved into administrative work at Armijo High. Again, lasting friendships were kindled. When an opportunity came to work at Vintage High as assistant principal, he happily accepted and in 1986 became principal. His favorite part of the job was talking with students in the quad. In his government class, his probing questions encouraged students to think more deeply about their beliefs. During this time, he also began a serious interest in the brain and how students learn, a passion that led him after seven years to step down as principal and return to the classroom. That time confirmed his belief that students should be taught how their brain and mind function and specific steps they could take to achieve success. Tom was a man of his values—honesty, integrity, hard work and compassion. Particularly after he became committed to daily meditation, he kept working on self-improvement. He also valued humor and loved the closeness it created with people. He was quick-witted and his laughter made you feel a part of something special. Away from school, Tom loved time at their family cabin in Truckee, especially opportunities to hike through the Sierra. Golf also was extra fun there, where balls soared in the higher altitude. He was an avid sports fan, particularly for the SF Giants, but he also very much enjoyed time just to read and write and think and relished the discussions that followed. The family would like to thank above all Dr. Ari Umutyan who kept his cancer at bay for ten years. Also invaluable during his last week were helpers from Hospice and caregivers Haidee Navarro and Ratu Naqaravatu.. A memorial is planned for 4:00 Thursday, January 19 at St. Apollinaris. Donations may be given to the Thomas Prescott Scholarship at First Republic Bank 1753 Trancas Napa CA 94558.

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Thomas D. Prescott Jr.

July 7, 1939 - January 6, 2023