Thomas John Mudge

Tom lived the definition of a full life. Father of four, Eagle Scout, Navy veteran serving in both WWII and Korea, board-certified surgeon, world traveler (plus all fifty states), cruise ship physician, big game hunter, avid outdoorsman, adventure canoeist, and good friend to many.

Tom was born in Negaunee, Michigan on May 24, 1920. Son of Dr. William A. Mudge and Elizabeth V. Mudge. They and his older brother, William (Bill) Mudge preceded him in death.

Tom graduated from Negaunee High School (senior class president), Northwestern University, and Northwestern University Medical School. He interned at Evanston Hospital and Great Lakes Naval Hospital. He began his surgical residency at Cook County Hospital, and then moved to Augustana Hospital under world-famous surgeon Dr. Nelson Percy, developer of the direct blood transfusion method. Following his residency, he completed a one-year fellowship under renowned surgeon Dr. Frank Lahey at the Lahey Clinic in Boston, MA.

He achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander, Medical Corps in the U.S. Navy, and was stationed in San Diego, the Marshall Islands, and Hawaii.

A few years after Tom returned to Marquette County, he was named Chief of Surgery at St. Mary’s Hospital, and later Chief of Staff at St. Luke’s Hospital before they merged to become Marquette General Hospital. Tom also served as president of the Marquette Medical Center.

Tom was known for his delightful sense of humor, pragmatism, calmness under pressure and unwillingness to complain, even when he had every right to do so. Though he had numerous accomplishments worth bragging about, he was not the type to be self-promotional. Always polite and ever gracious, he was a marvelous role model for his children and those around him.

Tom is survived by his sons, Mark Mudge (Carla Schroer) and Tom Mudge III (Diana Mudge), his daughters, Kathleen Mudge and Heather Salas (Al Salas), his grandchildren Hollyn Sekiguchi (Shun Sekiguchi), Thomas Mudge IV and Marcelo Salas, and his niece, Susan Gieler, nephew, William (Bill) Mudge and cousins Carol Prior, Christine Mudge-Grout, Margaret Mudge, and their families.

A memorial service for Tom will be held at the Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services on Friday, July 26, 2024 at 1:30 p.m.

Memories of Tom may be shared at canalefuneral.com.