Needless to say, It's very sad that TJ has passed. As we all know, he was a great person.

My first memory of him was when we hired him @ J. Walter Thompson/San Francisco from McCann-Erickson to work on the California Milk Advisory Board. He was so good working with the client, he was almost like an ambassador. Later, he went to The Merchandising Factory. And still later he co-founded McClure-Tjerandsen.

Have fun memories of a trip to Yellowstone with him, his wife Ruth & my wife Donna, and even an earlier trip up to the state of Washington. We were up there for a California Oregon Washington (COW) Milk Advisory Boards meeting & also spent time with some of his relatives. 

Will also never forget him taking us sailing on San Francisco Bay & having a bowline break or become unattached. He reattached it with waves breaking all over him. 

We also tried to climb Mount Whitney, but after camping out at the 10,000 foot level, we had an overnight snowstorm so we couldn't summit, at least that day.

We had just started having reunions in Sonoma in 2022. I will miss him. God bless him and may God take really good care of Ruth.

Tom was a pleasure to be around.  I enjoyed spending time with him at PMA Summits all over the US,  CPMA Expos in Canada, meetings in Sonoma and retailer trips to Chile.  He was a walking encyclopedia on so many subjects and will be missed by everyone!

Waiting for the wind on San Francisco Bay

Dear Ruth and family,
Tom, TJ, Tommy T…the names that we called our colleague and dear friend of almost 50 years. There are so many wonderful memories of time spent with Tom and with you both. From crafting promotion and marketing strategies to backgammon games…and in between travel, gourmet meals, dominos, tennis, skiing, wine tasting, Giants games, Christmas caroling, storytelling and on and on. His was a life fully lived and lived well. Tom was talented and creative, generous with his time, his knowledge and his spirit, a major contributor in his chosen profession. He made an impact on all whose path he crossed and an imprint forever on our hearts. We will always be grateful for our forever friend. 
Mark and Mary

Dear Mrs. Tom Carl Tjerandsen and his family,
I have just received very sad news from Ms. Lee of Pomegranates Council Japan and losing my words and in deep sorrow.
I have been working for The Pomegranates Council in Japan from 2008 – 2018 in Japan.
During that time, Mr. Tjerandsen visited Japan almost every year and provided us tremendous supports.
Mr. Tjerandsen always gave tremendous advice and encouraged with warm words to me.
I am very grateful to have met such a wonderful person in my life and will keep respect Mr. Tjerandsen in my heart.
Your sorrow, it is hard to imagine and immeasurable.
Please accept my sincerest condolences.
Sincerely,
Kazuko Watanabe
Yokohama, Japan

 

 




Although Tom never stopped working, this was his Retirement Party when he left Chilean Fresh Fruit Association. 

Tom has always  been a mentor and well wisher to me. He was my first boss right out of college. I leant a lot from him. 
Even though we worked together for only few years, he would email me every now and then to ask how is life. Thank you for being so kind to me Tom. 
I am going to miss you. 

From being a supplier of words of wisdom to being a sidekick to infinite tradeshows, Tom has been a dear friend, mentor and role model for many years.  I met Tom back in 2009 when we both worked with the Chilean fruit industry. Back in 2016 was our last get together at "The Last Resort" and cruising thru the wine region, but we kept emailing up life updates up until his last minute.  You were always willing to share a different perspective when I was at a crossroads and I will be forever grateful for your friendship. What a plentiful life he lived, if I can accomplish half of what he did I'll be proud.  
"Another spectacular day in the sunny Sonoma valley!"


CFFA Merchandiser meeting in the heart of Sonoma wine county.  Great moments we will be missed.

I remember vividly when Tom  and Ruth took me skiing on Mammoth Mountain. I was bloody scared.  To me it was the biggest mountain ever.
Words of wisdom: "Put your skis in a V shape if u need to stop or slow down." I barreled down that mountain like a bull doser.  Only clobbered one person before I finally touched base.  Never mountain skiied again.  Old skis. No traction. Fun and memorable, however. Thanks Tom.  Now go with God.

I will miss you Tom.  My best to my cousins, uncle, aunts, and mom.

C. Todd Smith

You lived every minute of your life with energy, kindness and generosity. You will be missed by many including your little sister. 

It was an honor working with Tom, learning from his experience,  and specially for being friends for many years. I will always be grateful for having him in my life.  

Here our last pic at his home in Sonoma on October 19th 2021. Your home was always open to your friends, as you always joked “the last resort”. Thanks for everything. You will be missed. 


Neptune SNC-Santa Rosa

Thomas Tjerandsen

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OBITUARY

Thomas Carl Tjerandsen

May 30, 1942 – November 8, 2022

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