Following an eight year illness, Thomas Walter Christensen, an Ortonville resident and owner of Odd Job Trucking in Oxford died Oct. 30.
He was 66.
Born to Peter and Virginia Christensen on Dec. 30, 1937 in Glendale, Calif., Thomas and his family moved to Michigan soon after his birth.
As a teenager in the 1950s Thomas worked at multiple jobs including Hilltop Lanes Bowling Alley and Russ Johnson’s car dealership, both located in Rochester. For a short time he also worked at a small area rubbish collection company.
By 1957 Christensen took over the rubbish business while employed at a General Motors plant in Pontiac. He worked at both jobs until November 1961 when he was drafted into the United States Army where he served two years.
With a passion for self-employment, after returning from the Army in 1963, Thomas took on another rubbish route along with younger brother Pete Christensen.
The two brothers merged businesses forming Christensen Brothers Disposal in 1967.
Tom continued to own and operate the business until the early 1980s before starting T. Christensen Disposal. He later founded Odd Job Trucking, currently operated by his son, Thomas Walter Christensen II.
‘After five decades in the rubbish business he’s inspired all us to follow in the disposal business,? said Brian Cummings, son-in-law and owner of Best Rate Dumpster Rental on Hadley Road in Ortonville.
‘He’s always been level headed even when the customers were not. Even after all the self-employment and hard work he found and made time for his family. The family was first for him he’d turn the phone off at five o’clock’he never worked on holidays.?
The Christensen family gives Thomas credit for three generations of family members in the rubbish business. His five decades in the industry have inspired many others to follow in his steps and have created a family of service oriented companies.
‘Dad was thought highly of by everyone he came in contact with,? said Jessie Christensen, daughter-in-law. ‘He was liked by all who were blessed to know him.?
Daughter Tera Cummings says her father was well recognized in the Oxford area, and considered it to be a small town where he traded with other businesses.
‘Dad would be pleased to know the local restaurants are getting along without his daily visits for coffee,? said Tera Cummings.
Christensen is survived by his wife, Vickie, children Ken Wilmoth (Angie) of Lapeer; Tera Cummings (Brian) of Ortonville; Shera Osier (Kirt) of Shelby Twp.; Tina Christensen of Ortonville, Thomas Christensen II (Jessica) of Elba. He is ‘papa? to seven grandchildren, Justin, Keith, Jade, Emily, Kyla, Elizabeth, Reeselyn, and Julianne (on the way).
Tom Christensen was preceded in death by his parents Peter and Virginia Christensen, three infant children, and brother-in-law John McKay.
Also survived by sisters Joann McKay and Virginia Rogers of Ortonville, brothers Pete Christensen (Jodie) of Ortonville, Tim Christensen (Marci) of Otisville and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation took place at Bossardet Chapel Lynch & Sons funeral home in Oxford on Monday and Tuesday. Services were held at the Oakwood Community Church in Brandon Township on Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 11 a.m., internment immediately followed at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery on Baldwin Road.
Donations can be made to the Oakwood Community Church at 5791 Oakwood Road, Ortonville, MI 48462.