Santa Clara, Utah - Thomas Matthew Winslow, Jr. was born January 11, 1940 at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine. His parents were Thomas Matthew Winslow and Frances Hoyt Winslow; he was the second child of eight. He has an older sister, Winona Northrop (Malcoln, deceased) of Gorham, ME and brothers: Marty of Amarillo, TX, Leon (Carrie) of Cooper, TX, Paul (Dallas) of Hollis, ME, and Russell of Portland, OR. He grew up in Portland, graduating from Portland High School and then joined the U.S. Air Force to see the world. He spent his entire military service at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, NV where he repaired and serviced jets. While in Las Vegas, he met Annette Barnum and they were married in Henderson, NV on October 20, 1962; they were later sealed in the Los Angeles LDS Temple on February 14, 1998. After their marriage, he and Annette moved to Southern California - Tom hadnt enjoyed the Las Vegas heat and Annette wasnt sure about that Portland weather. Southern California proved to be a wonderful home to them for over 40 years. Tom had learned the machinist trade in the Air Force and worked in that field all his life, eventually becoming a tool and die maker. He received his Associate of Science degree from Los Angeles Trade and Technical College in 1967. In 1976, a little three year old blonde sweetheart named Mary Elizabeth waltzed into the Winslows lives and immediately found her way into Toms heart. She officially became a Winslow when the adoption was finalized in January 1977. Tom began his drag racing career in 1970 and enjoyed many years of racing and traveling the western United States to various races. In drag racing circles, Tom was known as Ace and acquired many friends who were like brothers to him. He retired from drag racing in 1997 but continued his interest in all kinds of racing after his retirement. Tom was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and treasured his many friendships in the church. He served in the Young Mens, activities committee, financial clerk and as ward librarian. He was a humble, quiet man who served others without need for recognition and he was loved as a result of the services. In 2005, Tom retired from Ross Racing Pistons in El Segundo, California and he and Annette moved to Santa Clara, Utah. Tom loved the beauty of this area and the wonderful people here. He loved jeeping with his grandsons, hiking , biking and spending time with his family. Since moving to the area, he worked as a driver for St. George Ford and loved travel ing the country for them. He always loved to travel; having been born in Maine; he loved going back there and enjoyed the beauty that he had not appreciated as a child. He fulfilled the dream of traveling in the motor home to Alaska in 2005; he and Annette spent two months there with cousins, Bob and Donnabeth Winslow and enjoyed every minute. He had a great love for this country and wanted to see as much of it as possible. In January of this year, he was diagnosed with melanoma and he lost his fight with that dreadful disease in the early morning hours of May 23, 2011. He was a good man, a loving husband, a great father and a wonderful grandfather. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers, Jeffrey and Michael. He is survived by his wife, Annette; his daughter, Mary Elizabeth (Ben) McCormick; and two of the best grandsons a grandfather could ask for: Patrick Benjamin McCormick (6) and Matthew Thomas McCormick (3). He also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who will miss him. Special thanks to members of the Santa Clara LDS 15th Ward for their care and concern and Laura, Joni, and Troy of Southern Utah Hospice for their compassion. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 27, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Santa Clara LDS 15th Ward Chapel, 3680 West Pioneer Parkway, Santa Clara, Utah. A visitation will be held Friday, prior to services, from 9:30 a.m to 10:45 a.m. at the Chapel. Interment will follow at 3:00 p.m Utah time at the Mesquite, Nevada Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221.