Thomas Gourdin

It is with a heavy and broken heart that we announce the passing of our beloved Thomas Guy Gourdin who passed away unexpectedly at home on April 14, 2023. He was 49 years old. Tom was born on May 24th 1973 in Price, Utah. Tom brought immense joy to Eli and Trish; there was never a dull moment. Tom was full of life and where ever Tom was, there was laughter and fun. From a very young age, Trish and Eli instilled strong values around loyalty and passion. Tom’s first love besides his mom was baseball. Eli spent hours and hours playing catch in the backyard helping him craft his sport. Tom was an all-around great athlete, outside of basketball and football, Tom went on to do amazing things with baseball. He wore the tools of ignorance (as a catcher) from the age of 6 to the age of 20.

Tom attended Murray High School where he lettered in Football, Basketball and of course Baseball.
He was drafted in 1991 as a draft and follow. He attended school at New Mexico Jr. College for his freshman year and then returned home and shortly after, signed with the Minnesota Twins. He was signed as a pitcher where he played on the East Coast and Mid-West Minor League teams. These were some of the best years of Tom’s life. Building friendships of a lifetime with his fellow team mates. He was still in contact with most of these guys. Tom was released from Baseball in 1999 due to an injury in his shoulder. Tom expressed the fact that he was overwhelmed with gratitude to have had the opportunity to experience the thrill and camaraderie that came with being a part of the team. It was extremely tough on him when he was released.

Tom made a huge effort to stay close and in touch with the ones he loved and the ones that were the most important to him. Tom truly embraced his heritage and was very bummed to find out that he was only 17% Greek. Later in his adult life, he connected with his biological father’s side of the family. The Hovat’s. He continued to spend birthdays and holidays with them and was so happy to have built a relationship with them all. Aunt Phyllis Daskalos Marsing hosted most of the gatherings for all the cousins and created a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all. It was always a great time.

September was one of his favorite times of year. He loved the fall weather and the changing of the leaves, plus every September is the Greek Festival and he coordinated the night that he and his mom and aunts and cousins all got together. It was and will always be a tradition that is held dear to us all. We hope to see you all there this September.

Tom loved his mom more than anything on this planet. He always took the best care of her and thought of her before he ever thought of himself. After his dad Eli passed in 2019, Tom moved home with his mom Patricia to be there with her and take over all the household duties and make sure that she was always well taken care of. It was a special time for both of them.

Tom was crazy about Boxers; he had a few of them over the years. Tom got Rocco as a puppy in his 30’s and losing him was absolutely devastating. Tom was very hesitant to fall in love with another dog but Zeus won his heart. Zeus misses him dearly, as do we all. The world will never be the same without him. That contagious laugh and cantankerous wit will never be forgotten. Belly laughs for days. If Tom wasn’t laughing, he was sleeping. He made the best of any situation, he wanted everyone around him to be happy and enjoy life.

Tom is survived by his mom Patricia Helsley Gourdin, his adopted sisters, Anna Harris (Mike) Nancy Worden (Brenda) Carla Gourdin, Laurie Gourdin, and Willy Gourdin his Great Aunt Phyllis Daskalos Marsing, Great Aunt Thelma Daskalos, his Uncle Mike Hovat Uncle Nick Hovat, Aunt Mary Tonks and Christy Hovat Baker (Shawn) Aunt Chris Otto and Uncle Bill Helsley. He was also survived by many cousins whom he loved and cherished. Tom was proceeded in death by his Father Eli E Gourdin, his Biological Father Thomas John Hovat, his Papou and YaYia Daskalos, his Great Grandmother Hattie Gulley, his Grandfather Guy Helsley his Grandma Shirley Eby, Uncle Fred Eby, his Aunt Elizabeth aka Tinkerbell, his Uncle Gregory Helsley and Grandma Irene Hovat and great Uncle John Daskalos, his Uncle Tom Gourdin and Aunt Sandy Summers and special Cousin Troy Marsing and Childhood Best Friends, Jeremy Winget and Carson Winget.

Tom is also survived by some very important people, people whom he spent many years of his life with and whom he loved so dearly, you know who you are.

The celebration of life will be held at Murray’s Ken Price Ball Park on May 20th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm in honor of Tom and Eli (who passed in 2019, who was Tom’s biggest fan) Please dress in your favorite baseball attire or in red, which was Tom’s favorite color. Let’s have some fun and share memories together and laugh until it hurts. After all, that is what he would want for us all.
Lighten up and Smile…. #49forever!