Obituary
Beloved husband and father, Thomas G Nees of Arnold, Maryland passed away at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC on January 24, 2021 at the age of 83 due to complications following major heart surgery.
Tom was the first child born to L.Guy and Doretta Nees in 1937 at a home in Kalispell Montana.
Tom earned degrees in Theology from Northwest Nazarene College, Nazarene Theological Seminary, and a D.Min degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. The initial years of ministry were devoted to traditional church ministry in Washington, California, Ohio, and Washington DC. While in Washington DC, Tom developed a commitment to compassionate ministry and in 1980 founded and served over ten years as director of Community of Hope in Washington DC. Because of his vision and leadership, Community of Hope continues to this day to end family homelessness and improve health for DC residents. Late in his ministry career, Tom became the first director of Compassionate Ministries for the International Church of the Nazarene. During his retirement, he continued to be active as a mentor to many.
Tom was a scholar, activist, minister who based his life’s work on study of words and actions of those who had gone before with deep compassion and fervent hope. He was an avid reader of books covering a broad range of interests which included cooking.
From a very young age, Tom always loved the outdoor activities and especially his many sailing years that included sailing his boat on the Chesapeake from his nearby dock on the Severn River. He enjoyed his annual sailing trip with friends exploring the Caribbean. Tom was a student of sailing and earned his Captain certification. In addition to sailing, Tom was a cyclist, a hiker who loved his frequent hiking experiences in Montana, and a runner competing in four sanctioned marathons.
Family was always the highest priority for Tom and being with family, near and far, was his greatest joy. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, artist Patricia (Nichols) Nees; his four children, Kay Nees of Columbus, Ohio, Cari and husband Paul Schein of Frederick, Maryland, Dan Nees of Columbia, Maryland, Jennifer and husband, David Swetz of Indio, California; and his brother Ron Nees of Missoula, Montana, sisters Lois Wagner and Carol Nees Brown of Kalispell, Montana. Tom dearly loved and was deeply loved by his eight grandchildren and his great grandchild, and numerous relatives, neighbors, friends and colleagues.
Many people saw him as their very best friend.
"So many lives have been changed because of the ways he chose to live and serve".