Thomas (Tom) P. Templeton, 90, passed away on May 26, 2021. Tom spent two years in the Army before earning a bachelor's degree from ASU and a master's degree from the University of Florida, Gainesville in Geography. Tom's career as a teacher began at Arcadia High School in Phoenix, AZ before moving on to the collegiate level. In the mid-sixties, he founded the Geography department at Mesa Community College (MCC) in Mesa, AZ. He enjoyed a robust and fulfilling career that included taking students on European trips as part of extended educational programs to explore cultural geography and anthropology. He spent 35 years at MCC, retiring for one day, before going to ASU to teach for another five years.



Tom was preceded in death two brothers. He is survived by his wife, Charline Morris Templeton, a son and a daughter. Tom will be laid to rest near Point Loma, CA. A celebration of Tom's life will be a private family event. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that any donations made in Tom's memory be made to the Mesa Community College Scholarship Endowment or the Richardson Endowment for Geography's Future, as both organizations support educational opportunities. (Source: Arizona Republic)