Thomas J. Faris

Thomas Joseph Faris, age 68 of Fond du Lac, WI…. it is with tremendous sadness and broken hearts to have to share that Tom entered the eternal gates of Heaven on July 1, 2019 after a very long battle with numerous health issues. Tom was born July 10, 1950 in Fond du Lac to Doris (Johnson) and John “Johnny” Faris. Tom grew up in the Fond du Lac area his entire young life. He attended St. Pat’s grade school and Goodrich High School.

After graduating from high school Tom traveled and lived numerous places across the United States. Tom loved his independence and freedom to do anything he chose to do. There are way too many stories to share here. After many years of INDEPENDENCE and ENTREPRENEURSHIP, he settled down and married the love of his life, Vicki on September 7, 1996. They had one child together, Ryonen Faris. Ryonen was his entire world. They had a bond like no other. Tom thoroughly enjoyed Ryonen’s sports abilities. He was an exceptional golfer and made Tom so very proud.

It was no secret of Tom’s LOVE for the Chicago Cubs. A passion he developed as a small child sitting on his father’s knee listening to the Cubs games on the radio. It’s a passion that he carried on for a lifetime and I am sure he will no doubt continue from above. He’s got the best seat in the house. He can now join all the fans, players, and preceded loved ones that shared his passion. Does “Field of Dreams” ring a bell? As you can only imagine, one of his favorites. I can’t forget to mention that his beloved Cubs finally WON the world series. He waited a lifetime for that! He and his dad sure have something to talk about now. He also had a passion for cards and numbers. Poker was his favorite. I won’t even start on those stories and the funny thing is, they were all true. One of the luckiest men I have ever known. He had a huge passion for music and did until the end. “Homeward Bound”

Tom lived between the Ripon and Green Lake area after marrying Vicki. Together they raised their son on her family farm. Ryonen graduated from Ripon High School and attended Marian College in Fond du Lac which brought Tom back to the area. It was during that time that he helped set up 11:11 Burgers & Beignets with and for Ryonen. He used his entrepreneurship experience to help get it off the ground. Even though he was already battling health issues, he fought in every way possible to help him with ads, menu ideas, talking to distributors or anything he could possibly do to the best of his ability. The place became so successful in every way that it led to a second location. Unfortunately, he was never able to see the completed project, but he’d be… “Oh so proud.”

Tom leaves behind his wife, Vicki, his love and best friend of 28 years; his son, Ryonen Faris of 26 years; his five stepchildren, Chris Wittchow (Julie), Andy Wittchow (Angie), Michael (Jennifer) Marchinowski, Matthew Marchinowski (Heather), and Jennifer Hoch; and a very special nephew, Kyle Burlingame. He also leaves behind his dearly loved sister, Mitzi (Steve) Moore, their daughter, Tricia, and their son, Casey and his son, Elwood. He is further survived by his half-sister, Sue Kain, her son Jeff (Connie) Kain and her daughter, Kandy (Robbie) Norman. Tom has ten step grandchildren, Cody, Dustin, Jordan, Andrew, Alyssa, Abigail, Logan, Evan, Isaac, and Vela Mae; and seven step great grandchildren. Tom leaves his beloved fur babies, Flippy 12 years and Bogey 2 years.

Tom was preceded in death by his grandparents; his parents, John and Doris Faris; stepfather, Carl Kuter; half-brother, Jon Faris; in-laws, Roger and Jackie Burlingame; brothers-in-law, Del Burlingame and Sug Kain; and niece, Stacey Sweeney.



“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal”



The family would like to take this time to thank the staff at Aurora St. Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee, Crossroads Nursing Home in Fond du Lac, and Generations Home Care and Hospice for the outstanding comfort, compassion, and quality care they gave Tom. We were all, including the family treated with dignity and respect.



The visitation will be held Sunday, July 7, 2019 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home and again on Monday from 10:00 – 11:00 AM at church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:11 AM on Monday, July 8, 2019 at Sacred Heart Church, Holy Family Parish. Cremation will follow the traditional services. Burial will be held on Tom’s birthday, Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at 11:11 AM in Ripon at Hillside Cemetery.



“Dear George…Remember NO man is a failure who has friends. Thanks for the wings! Love, Clarence”