Thomas (Tom) Hilliard Bain, 76, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, September 9, after a years-long battle with various health issues, with his wife, Pat, by his side. Throughout those struggles, Tom showed grace and patience, and his sweet, sincere heart continued to shine through to those who knew him.
Tom was born in Menlo Park San Mateo, California, where he grew up with his parents and two sisters, Sue and Carolyn in nearby Menlo Park. He loved playing outside with neighborhood friends, camping and fishing with his family, and other outdoor adventures. He did well in school, was a Boy Scout, played various sports, and made close, lifelong friends. When his mother became ill when Tom was 13, life brought innumerable challenges, but it also deepened his love for her and cultivated a lasting compassion for those suffering with serious health issues.
Tom attended University of California at Berkeley, where he rowed crew, participated in ROTC, and enjoyed listening to Creedence Clearwater Revival. After college, he served on active duty in the Air Force as a military policeman and later spent several years in the reserves. During his time at Berkeley, Tom accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord, a decision that changed the trajectory of his life. He committed his career to ministry, first with Campus Crusade for Christ, where he met his wife during a training, and later, after seminary, in church ministry.
Tom married his wife, Patricia Gill Bain, on May 21, 1977, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Through Pat, he gained four brothers and two sisters, and later their spouses as well. Together, Tom and Pat welcomed their children, Katie and Dan.
Over the years, the family moved from Colorado to California, Kansas, and Wisconsin, following Tom’s callings to Associate and Senior Pastor roles. Wherever they lived, Tom filled their home with whistling tunes and forced-vibrato singing, did all the voices for bedtime stories, used somewhat correct Spanish phrases, played catch and wrestling games, and made waffles for birthdays and holidays.
There were many road trips to visit family, as well as frequent trips to Lake Tahoe, where Tom passed on his love of the outdoors and entertained everyone with cabin karaoke renditions of Blue Suede Shoes and Susie Q. He cherished family gatherings with Pat’s family in Wisconsin, especially brats and conversations about the Packers or 49ers. Later in life, living in Sheboygan brought Tom and Pat an abundance of meals, love, and support during his health struggles.
To know Tom was to know acceptance. He was a good listener who conveyed genuine interest in everyone he met. This authentic care was part of what made him an excellent pastor—a shepherd who knew his church community well and lived to serve and gently guide others through his example.
Tom is survived by his partner and best friend of 49 years, Patricia Bain; his children and their spouses, Katie Bain and Adam Griggs and Daniel Bain and Laura Benson; his cherished granddaughter and step-granddaughters, Ella, Amelia, and Madeline Griggs; and his loving sisters and their husbands, Sue and Greig Cummings and Carolyn and Rafael Sedillo. He is further survived by Pat’s siblings and their spouses, George Gill, Linda and Mike DeVriend, Nick and Mary Gill, Gus and Michelle Gill, and Steve and Debbie Gill.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hilliard (Tim) Gibbs Bain, Jr. and Shirley Anne Springhorn Bain; stepmother Harriet McDowell Bain; and sisters-in-law Jean Gill and Mary Jo Gill.
Special thanks to the Sharon S. Richardson Hospice staff and his special caretaker, Julee Holbrook.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg, Wisconsin. Visitation will be from 9:00–11:00 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. All are welcome to view a livestream of the service at Tom’s obituary page at wenigfh.com .
Those of us who knew Tom hope to carry with us a bit of his honest, gentle, devoted, and kind nature. We were blessed beyond words to have had him in our lives.
Wenig Funeral Home – Oostburg (920-564-2771) is honored to assist the family with arrangements. Please visit wenigfh.com for online condolences.
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