Thomas Michael Dordan

Thomas Michael Dordan, 72, of Brush Prairie, Washington, passed away April 28, 2026 after a courageous 6-1/2 year long battle with cancer: first multiple myeloma, then myelodysplastic syndrome, and finally acute myeloid leukemia. He died at home surrounded by his loving family.

Tom was born in the doctor’s office on May 17, 1953 to Gerald (Jerry) Patrick and Alice Zella (Slonecker) Dordan of Florence, Oregon. He was the first of four children. When he was one year old, the family moved to Newport, Oregon, where Tom grew up on a 14-acre hillside overlooking Yaquina Bay.

Throughout Tom’s life, his interests became passions as he invested 110% into everything he loved. In his pre-teen and teen years and into his twenties, that was motocross. He and his buddies spent hours every day riding, and he earned many trophies for races won.

Tom graduated from Newport High School in 1971 and took a motorcycle trip with friends across the western United States, from Canada to the Grand Canyon, camping out along the way. This trip included a frightening night of wandering on foot lost and alone in the pitch-black desert without a flashlight. He and friends took a second motorcycle trip to Vancouver Island and across Canada.

At the age of 18, Tom moved to Portland, Oregon where he worked for Hoffman Construction for a time. He soon began a 5-year apprenticeship program in fire sprinkler fitting, and became a journeyman upon completion. He worked for 42 years for Viking Fire Protection, first as a fitter and later as an estimator/engineer. When asked about career highlights, he replied, “I was just happy to work every day and take care of my family.” He did mention the six months he spent in Alaska working in the Aleutian Islands. He retired on January 1, 2016.

On April 21, 1990, Tom married Kyla Jeanne Keeney in Vancouver, Washington. In August 1993 they welcomed their firstborn son, Derek Michael, into their family. Drew Aaron completed the family in May 1996. Tom loved any activity involving his two sons – he absolutely adored being a dad. Some highlights were family camping, tae kwon do, Boy Scouts, football, and band.

Soon after their marriage, Tom and Kyla purchased a half-acre lot in The Cedars golf course subdivision in Brush Prairie, Washington, that would become their own little slice of heaven on earth. Tom was the general contractor for building their house which, of course, has fire sprinklers, along with many other special features that Tom included. They moved in in February 1994. Tom single-handedly did all the beautiful landscaping over the years.

Tom enjoyed gardening and cooking, but his lifelong passion was golf. He was a member of Green Meadows Men’s Club. He took two trips-of-a-lifetime: one to Scotland in July 1994 where he stayed in a dormitory at St. Andrews and golfed the links, and another to Ireland a few years later. At St. Andrews, his drive shattered a large window of the tea room where many people were dining. He feared he would have to pay for it. His caddy dropped a new ball and told him, “Play on. The golf course was here before the tea room.” The very next day the window had been replaced. Tom organized many annual golf trips to Mesquite, Nevada for himself and his golf buddies.

Tom is survived by his wife Kyla; his sons, Derek (Annie), and Drew; brothers Pat (Leanne), and Chris; sister Terry (Randy) Laverty; new granddaughter Olivia Alice Dordan, born April 4, 2026; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Club Green Meadows, 7703 NE 72nd Ave., Vancouver, Washington, 98661, on May 27 at 2pm. All are welcome to attend.

Layne's Funeral Services of Battle Ground, Washington is in charge of arrangements.