Obituary: Marr, Dr. Thomas A.

Thomas A. Marr, beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away at Archstone Care Center in Chandler, AZ on February 21st, 2012.
Tom was born in Grafton, North Dakota on April 18, 1927.

He was raised by his parents, Arthur and Vivian Meagher in Park River, North Dakota.
Tom served in the Navy for two years.

After his service in the Navy, Tom pursued his dream of becoming an internal medicine physician and graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 1953.

He had an internship at Harborview and a fellowship at the VA Hospital in Seattle.

Following his internship at Harborview Hospital.

During his residency, he met and married Ardis Graham and started a family.

In 1959, the growing family moved to Spokane, WA, where he began his internal medicine practice at Rockwood Clinic.

In 1961, he started the Kidney/Dialysis Center at Sacred Heart Medical Center.

By 1962, Dr. Marr pioneered with Drs.

Loren Gothberg and Richard Steury in establishing the Artificial Kidney Center and the creations of peritoneal dialysis.

These innovations changed thousands of patients’ lives and touched the hearts of countless staff and friends.

Tom was the epitome of a great man with compassion and vision and was admired and loved by all.

In 1996, he retired form his medical career, and in 1997, he married his loving partner and friend, Sue Ann DeSmeth.They spent the last 15 years traveling the world, enjoying golf, playing cards, spending time with family and friends, and settling in their home in Sun Lakes, AZ.
Tom is survived by his devoted wife of 15 years, Sue Ann DeSmith Marr.

He loved his children with all his heart and is survived by his sons: Stephen Marr (Cyndi), Michael Marr (Sharon); and by his daughters, Theresa Marr Gusregan (Dan), Judy Marr-Gusky (Paul), Katie Marr, and Mary Marr Lenz (Mark).

Tom had 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

In addition, he greatly loved and was loved by Kathy DeSmeth Lundberg (Steve); Matthew Lundberg (Zoe), Krista Lundberg Davis (Leon), and John DeSmeth.

Tom was preceded in death by his sister Katherine Meagher, his parents Arthur and Vivian Meagher, his wife Ardis, and his sister, Mary Jean Meagher Grossinger.
Tom was a member of the Sacred Heart Parish, Manito Golf and Country Club, Prosperity Club, Spokane Club, and the Spokane Society of Internal Medicine.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at a later date at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spokane, WA by the Rev Charles Skok as Celebrant.

A private burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Spokane or Sisters of the Holy Names.

Tom was a brilliant, honorable, loving Soul - - a gentleman who loved God and others unselfishly.

May he rest in peace.