Tom was born in New Orleans, La., on Jan. 2, 1923, to Arthur M. Cromwell and Ruth (Scholfield) Cromwell and passed away on Aug. 14, 2011, in Coeur d'Alene. He lived in New Orleans until the age of 11 when he moved with his family to California.

After graduating from high school, Tom attended Los Angeles City College until enlisting in the Navy in May 1943. After receiving his commission, he married Alice Enloe on July 5, 1944, in the chapel at the naval air station in Corpus Christie, Texas. He served as a test pilot and instructor teaching carrier flight operations for the duration of World War II. Their daughter Jane was born in 1945 shortly before the end of the war. He served in the U.S. Navy Reserve as an Assistant Air Intelligence Officer from 1952 through 1955.

In 1945 Tom returned to school at Occidental College and earned an AB degree majoring in chemistry with a minor in mathematics. In addition he attended graduate school at Oregon State University and UCLA.

Tom's working career began with Pacific Coast Borax Company in 1951 and he remained with the company, except for three years with Aerojet General Corporation, until his retirement in 1987 as Senior Vice President of Operations (The company changed its name to U.S. Borax in the interim). He also served as president of Allen Potash Mines in Saskatchewan, Canada, which was a joint operation of U.S. Borax, Texas Gulf Sulfur Company and Swift & Company. In addition, Tom served on the Board of Directors of U.S. Borax from 1982 to 1987.

During his working career Tom served as a member of the California State Mining & Geology Board and president of the California Mining Association. Additionally he served on several committees for Kern County and was chairman of the Antelope Valley United Way. He published many scientific articles and was awarded numerous U.S. and Canadian patents.

Tom and Alice moved to Hayden in 1987. After moving to North Idaho, he continued his civic involvement by tutoring jail detainees in GED subjects and GED and ESL students through North Idaho College for many years. He served on the NIC Foundation Board of Directors from 1996 to 2003. Tom was a member of Faith Presbyterian Church in Hayden and a member of the Spokane Chapter of Military Officers Association of America.

In his spare time Tom developed his woodworking skills producing many beautiful pieces of furniture that are still being enjoyed by many friends and family members. A sportsman, Tom enjoyed fishing, hunting, water sports, golfing and cross country skiing.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Alice, in 2006.

He is survived by his daughter, Jane Morgan and her husband Ray of Hayden Lake; grandson Cameron Morgan and his wife Janelle and great-grandson Cade all of Indianapolis, Ind.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Donald and Ellen Enloe of Arcadia, Calif.; sister-in-law Ann Enloe of Orange, Calif.; and cousin Jane Maunsell and husband Stewart of Metarie, La.

The family asks that memorials be made to The Thomas and Alice Cromwell Scholarship Fund c/o North Idaho College Foundation, 1000 W. Garden Ave., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814, or to Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011, at Faith Presbyterian Church, 9485 N. Maple St., Hayden, followed by a celebration of his life at the family home. Yates Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.