Tom Spires

Tom Spires, 80, born on May 15, 1938, in Jacksonville, Florida to Merrill and Lucille (Powell) Spires, passed away March 29, 2019 after a 5-year battle with Parkinson's Disease. Tom leaves behind his wife and best friend of 36 years, Susan Spires, his daughter Pam Spires (Jon Braam), granddaughter Kaitlin Taszarek of Saint Louis, Missouri and daughter Kit Ottmar (Scott), grandchildren Colin Ottmar and Grayson Ottmar of Monterey, California, as well as Tom's brother, Jim Spires (Vivian) of Jacksonville, Florida. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Richard Spires, sister Linda Ryan, and sister Susan Taylor.

Tom had a long and successful career at Hughes Aircraft Company and Raytheon. He "grew up" on the F-15 Radar Program first as a hardware engineer and then as its System Engineering Laboratories Manager. In 1989 Tom became the F-15 Radar Programs manager and oversaw development, production, and support of the F-15 radar for the USAF and several foreign customers. When Raytheon acquired Hughes Aircraft Company in 1997, Tom served as associate manager of the Air Combat and Strike Systems (ACSS) business unit. He retired in 1999. He served as Project Manager to successfully complete a water reclamation project as well as served on the Board of Directors at Lake Arrowhead Country Club. Tom came back to Hughes as a consultant and co-led with Dick Johnston ACSS's successful recovery from a major manufacturing crisis.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to Parkinson's Resource Organization, 74090 El Paseo #104, Palm Desert, CA 92260. www.parkinsonsresource.org.

Tom resided in La Quinta, California at the time of his passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Cathedral City, California.