Obituary: Kerst, Thomas Joseph

KERST, Thomas Joseph
3/11/1959 - 9/29/2012

Joe, or Joey as he was known to the Hutsell clan and many others, passed away September 29, 2012 on Orcas Island, Washington.

The embodiment of generosity, determination and loyalty, he was always the first person to put the needs of others ahead of his own.

Joe attended St. Mary’s Catholic School, Gonzaga Prep High School and Santa Clara and Loyola Marymount Universities.

After graduation, he immediately went to work at Stockland Livestock Exchange with his family, where he remained for 30 years, becoming the face of the business.

Anyone who did business with the company knew he was the man to go to if they needed to get anything done.

During that time he served on the Washington Beef Commission and was both Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer of the Washington Livestock Marketing Association.

Joe also donated many tireless hours to the Spokane Junior Livestock Show, helping make it the success it is today.

His loss will be felt far and wide, especially by the family and friends he left behind.

Joe is survived by his father, Ted (Joanne) Kerst; mother, Donna Abel; brothers, Fr.

Patrick Kerst and John Kerst, the light of his life sister Alicia (Matt) Reid; nephews Austin Kerst and Walker Reid and niece Kennedy “Kiki” Reid, all of Spokane, numerous very special friends from around the country including: Dana Bordwell, Michael and Cindy Casey, Mark Webb, Rick and MaryAnn Rinderle, Penny Youde, Vicki Flores, Jerry Bordwell, Don Hutsell, Sharyn Hutsell, Bernice Brown, Char Hutsell, Marlene Tenzler and his newest buddy Scutzenpoups.
Memorial Service to be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Hospice of Spokane-Hospice House, PO Box 2215, Spokane, WA 99210 or St. Mary’s Catholic School, 14601 E. 4th Avenue, Spokane Valley, 99216.