Thomas Russell Betz

Thomas Russell Betz (Tom) died today, in Oceanside, CA , returning to our Lord in Heaven on August 22, 2022.
Tom was born January 24, 1935 in Long Beach, CA, to Thomas W Betz and Violet Taylor. The family later moved to Hemet, CA where he grew up on a chicken ranch with his father, Tom, his step-mother Marjorie Betz, and his two younger brothers, Bill and Bob Betz. His step-sister, Mary Lee Tooker had already left home. Tom graduated from Hemet High School in 1952, immediately enlisting in the US Marine Corps, on Sept 18, 1952, at the age of 17. 
He spent 3 years as an enlisted marine, with boot camp in San Diego, CA & Infantry Training at Camp Pendleton, before being deployed to Middle Camp, Fuji, Japan as a Military Police, and to Marine Corps test unit at Camp Horno, where he participated in Atomic Test Exercises in Nevada. On Sept. 17, 1955, he was transferred from Active Duty to the Marine Corps Reserves.  During this time, he attended college at San Jose State, CA, under the PLC Program and he graduated with a B. A. Degree and an officer commission as a 2ndLt in June 1960. There, he met the love of his life, Mary Margaret Shaver, “Marni”, and they married July 6, 1957. 
The next 20 years, were spent as a career Marine officer, with deployments across the country and the world. Duty tours included: 3 years in “K” Company, Hawaii; MCAS, El Toro, CA in June 1964; in Oct 1966 he was assigned to the 4th Marines in Vietnam, to include 4 months at Dong Ha with the 9th Marines;  Camp LeJeune, NC in Nov 1967 for two years; followed by Command & Staff College in MCAS Quantico, VA; preparing for the Logistics Dept of Headquarters Marine Corp (MCAS) in Arlington, VA for 3 years; a one year deployment with the 31st Marine Amphibious Unit out of Subic Bay, Philippines; in June 1973 he rejoined the 4th Marine Div (and his family) at Camp Pendleton, CA. The summer of 1976 began his last duty tour in Madrid Spain, where Tom reported to the Joint U.S. Military Group as the Liaison Officer to the Spanish Marine Corps. After this tour of duty and 28 years of distinguished service, Tom retired at Camp Pendleton, CA, on June 30, 1980, as Lt Col.
The next 40+ years, Tom and his wife, made their home in Carlsbad, CA, where they enjoyed watching their kids grow and raise their families. Together, they enjoyed renovating and managing a downtown Carlsbad retail/professional building, several residential condominiums, and remodeling and decorating their own home and some fun vacation homes. They supported the Carlsbad Downtown Merchants Association, Boys & Girls Club, local and national politicians, and St Patrick’s Catholic Church. His hobbies include: family time, reading a good “Louis L’Amour”  book, tennis, travel, tacos and margaritas with family and friends at Jolly Roger, dune buggy rides in the desert, shooting, river and mountain activities with family, and long afternoon naps, followed by  “tinto”  hour!  And most importantly, loving and caring for his wife “until death, do us part”! 
Tom is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marni Betz and their 3 children: Kim Wright (Ron, deceased), Jim Betz (Maria), Ray Betz (Yoli), and his step-daughter, Diane Zanocco (Jim, deceased); grandchildren and their families: Aaron Zanocco, Candace O’Neil, Logan Betz, Jaimi Betz, Raymond Thomas Betz, Matthew Betz, and Leo Betz ; two brothers, Bob Betz (Karen) and Bill Betz (Jackie); and so many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is predeceased in death by his parents, Thomas W and Marjorie Betz, Violet (Taylor) Teague; sister, Mary Lee Tooker, Brother-in law, Don Tooker, and granddaughter, Tania Marie Betz.
May Tom rest in peace! 
Dad, we love you!