Thomas D. Dohm

Madison - Thomas D. Dohm, age 60 of Madison, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, January 11, 2011. Tom fought a four year battle with cancer with both dignity and courageousness that amazed his family, friends and doctors.

Tom was born in Marshfield, Wisconsin on May 16, 1950, the son of Bud and Elaine (Wilcot) Dohm and spent most of his childhood in Shawano. After Tom graduated from University of Wisconsin -- Oshkosh with a degree in broadcasting and journalism, he began his career in the radio and television industry, throughout the Midwest including Beaver Dam, Rockford and Minneapolis. His positions ranged from radio DJ (Mark Allen), TV sports and weather personality and then managed radio stations. In 1975 he came to Madison to become the Public Relations Manager for the Republican Party. This is when he realized that small businesses were not represented in State government and in 1977 started Wisconsin Independent Businesses to be ""the voice of small businesses in Wisconsin.""

In 1985 he started Wisconsin Property Taxpayers to fight for fair property taxation for small businesses, property owners and farmers. Then in 2000, Tom and his wife Nancy started ExploreWisconsin Inc., a website promoting small businesses throughout the state of Wisconsin. Tom not only dedicated his life to helping the small businesses and employees that shared in his ideals, but he also dedicated his life to his family and friends.

Tom loved life and lived it to its fullest and will be remembered for all the fun and great times he shared with his family and closest friends. Some of his favorite pastimes included golf, the Kentucky Derby, Badger football, sports cars, and traveling with his wife, family and special friends.

He was especially devoted to his wife and children and loved spending time with them. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughter, Emily of Milwaukee and sons, Aric of South Lake Tahoe, California and Bryan (wife Torrey) of Minneapolis. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, sister Jean and brother Bob.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 602 Everglade Dr., Madison on Friday, January 14, 2011, at 4:00 p.m. with Father John Norder presiding. A visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 2:00 p.m. until the time of mass. A celebration to honor Tom's life will be held following the service.

The family wishes to thank their close friends, many of whom are considered family, for their support, kindness and generosity during Tom's long illness. They also want to thank Dr. Glenn Liu and the other wonderful medical staff at UW Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Hospice of Madison for their dedication, care and support of Tom and family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to UW Comprehensive Cancer Center and HospiceCare of Madison.