Apex

THOMAS CITIZEN
Thomas Raymond Citizen, beloved husband, father, grandpa and friend, went to his heavenly home Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009. Tom was born July 19, 1944, in Omaha, Neb., and was raised in southern California, where he met and married his high school sweetheart, Celia Stites. They married in 1963 and celebrate 46 years of marriage this month. Throughout his life, Tom loved the outdoors, camping, fishing and hiking. He was a sports enthusiast, playing basketball, tennis, golf and softball. Music was always an important part of his life. He played the clarinet and guitar, directed many church choirs and loved to sing with his wife. Tom also loved the pursuit of knowledge. He received his bachelors in psychology from Westmont College in Santa Barbara. In 1967, Tom and his wife, Celia, moved to Portland, Ore., where they began their family. Tom worked for the Oregon State Bar for eight years. In 1979, Tom felt God calling him into full-time ministry. He and his family moved back to southern California, where he received his masters degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1982. Tom loved being a pastor, serving and loving people. He loved to teach the truths of the Bible and talk with people. He pastored at 1st Baptist Church of Temple City, Calif., Fellowship Baptist Church in Las Vegas, and 1st Baptist Church of Lemoore, Calif. Tom and Celia returned to Las Vegas in 2000 to be near their children. Tom and his family soon learned that he had early onset Alzheimer's. His faith in God as his Savior continued to sustain him through his joys and trials. He was very proud of his family and loved being grandpa. Tom was preceded in death by his biological father, Jack Green; his adopted father, Ted Citizen; and his mother, Katherine Citizen. He is survived by his wife, Celia S. Citizen; daughter, Kristi Andrade and her husband, Robert; son, Douglas Citizen and his wife, Cheryl; six grandchildren, Ashlea, Bayley and Carter Andrade, and Emma, Loredana and Jack Citizen; sister, Sharon Gebur and her husband, Bill; and niece, Michelle Gebur Ponce and her husband, Rick. There will be a memorial service at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at Christ Lutheran Church, 111 N. Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89107. Flowers may be sent to Christ Lutheran Church, Saturday, Aug. 15, after 2 p.m., or anytime to 8226 Moapa Water St., Las Vegas, NV 89131. Donations may be made in Tom's memory, to Samaritan's Purse or Keep Memory Alive.