Thomas Harper Binford

IN  LOVING  MEMORY  OF

Thomas Harper Binford

September 20, 1941 — May 22, 2020

INTERMENT

Belmont Memorial Park

201 N. Teilman, Fresno, California

OBITUARY

Thomas Harper Binford, loving father, grandfather, husband, and brother, passed away May 22, 2020 from complications due to congestive heart failure and cardiac arrest at Saint Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, CA. He was 78 years old.

He was preceded in death by Patti Binford (wife), Jeanette Binford (wife), his parents and other family members and friends that welcomed him with open arms as he crossed through the veil. We are sure it was a joyous reunion for all.

He is survived by his wife Linda, his first wife Clara and their 7 children and their families which include 15 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.

Thomas was born in Akron, Ohio September 20, 1941 to Harper Layman Binford and Caroline Louise Wendt. He moved with his family to Cupertino California from Georgia after his junior year in high school. He graduated from high school in 1958. He attended a semester of college at Foothill Junior College in northern California and then entered the United States Navy in which he served 7 years from 1959 to 1966 as a nuclear submarine technician. He was honorably discharged in 1966 and entered civilian life working in sales, real estate, and was self employed for many years. Later in life he attended San Joaquin College of Law in Fresno California where he became a paralegal in the early 1990's. Through his paralegal business he continued helping people with their legal issues until his passing.

Thomas loved to be with family and friends and attend his grandchildren's activities. His hobbies included researching subjects of interest, reading fiction and non-fiction books, and serving in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved to serve others and loved those he served with all his heart. He held many positions within the church including a Seminary teacher in the late 1970's, Gospel Doctrine instructor, Elder's Quorum President and Counselor, Sunday School President, and Temple worker in the Fresno California Temple. He was always ready to help those in need and had a deep, strong testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ, his atonement and resurrection, and of the Plan of Salvation.

A loving family member recently wrote this beautiful passage, "I've searched...for a quote or something to express the feelings in my heart. The only thing that I keep coming back to is 'Until we meet again...'

Every day we have the opportunity to show love, compassion, gratitude, strength and so much more to the people that are around us, those that we know by name and those that we meet in passing.

There are times that the people that should love us, hurt us. That hurt can last a lifetime...you can let it be painful reminders or you can learn from them, be different, heal and try to forgive.

I'm reminded of a quote that my sweet husband shares often..."Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved." (Thomas S. Monson)

No one is perfect. If we were then we would have no need for this life.

At 11:55pm on May 22nd, Thomas passed from this life. He like all of us had faults, but he also had great strengths. He was strong in the Gospel and in his faith. He endured many great trials, some he brought upon himself, others were placed on him...yet his love for the Savior never faltered. He tried to do better, to be better and that's what life is all about. We make mistakes, we cause pain, we grow and we try to fix what we have broken the best we can and I saw that in him, I witnessed that in him." Thank you Erin for those loving words.

We will miss our loving father, grandfather, husband, friend, and teacher but we know that this life is not the end. We will be together in the eternities because families are forever and this life is but a short time in our eternal existence. His pain and suffering have ended. Now it is time to continue his work and his progression on the other side of the veil. May you rest in peace, Thomas Binford, until we meet again.

RELATIVES

Wife:  Linda Bedrossian

Wife:  Patty Binford (deceased)

Son:  Tom Binford

Son:  Rick Binford

Son:  Travis Binford

Son:  Craig Binford

Son:  Jared Binford

Son:  Andrew Binford

Daughter:  Tambra Pickford

Grandchildren:  15

Great Grandchildren:  4

IF  YOU  COULD  SEE  ME

My prayers have all been answered –

I finally have arrived;

The healing that was long delayed –

Has now been realized.

No one is in a hurry –

No schedule must I keep –

I am being taught by Jesus

As I worship at His feet.

My short and temporary trials –

Have worked out for my good;

As He explained them unto me,

I have finally understood.

Though we have had our sorrows,

There is nothing so secure

As all our Savior has in store

For those who do endure.

If you could see me now …

I am whole and standing tall;

And thus the earthly pains I bore

Seem all so very small.

If you could see me now …

You would know I’ve seen His face;

And thus you would not ever want

For me to leave this place.

“May God touch you

with His healing hand

and give you the peace and comfort

you need to get through.”

Anon.

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