Thomas Charles (“Cha-Cha”) Rantz was born March 13, 1952, and passed away at his home in Seattle on August 21, 2025, due to a tragic accident. He was 73 years old. Born in Newport News, Virginia, to Richard Charles (colonel, US Army, Oct. 21, 1921–Feb. 4, 2023) and Erma Deanne Boyer Rantz, Tom spent his childhood with his military family, living in Virginia, Alaska, France, Germany, Rhode Island, and Brussels, Belgium.
Tom graduated from T.C. Williams High School, in Alexandria, Virginia, where he became an Eagle Boy Scout and an acclaimed thespian in numerous plays. While obtaining his bachelor’s degree at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Tom was very active with the school newspaper and participated in school politics.
In Spokane, he became a well-known part of the Spokane Gay scene, where he met Harry Hoglin, who remained his friend in Seattle until Tom’s passing. Harry loves to tell the story of a memorable event in Spokane, the 1977 Wrangler Picnic at Newman Lake. Tom wanted to make an entrance, so he dressed in full drag, donned water skis, and circled the lake twice, waving to all on shore. At the end of the second pass, he let go of the rope, drifted to shore, and stepped off his skis to join the party — with not a hair or clothing item out of place!
Tom moved from Spokane to Seattle in the late 1970s and fell in love with the city and community. There, he made many lifelong friends, including Adam Schwiekl, Rock Henderson, and Ray Holmes (aka Sofonda Peters). He worked in the hotel and restaurant industry at such famous places as François and Julia Kissel’s Brasserie Pittsbourg and the City Loan Pavillion in Pioneer Square and later at the Sorrento Hotel.
At the world-famous Gay bar The Mocambo in Pioneer Square, he met Steve Nyman and became best friends, spending many memorable nights in the city’s Gay scene. With Steve and Nathan Benedict, they opened The Inside Passage Restaurant and Bar (1983–89) at the corner of Melrose and Pine on Capitol Hill. As one of the first openly Gay restaurants and bars in the neighborhood, it was very popular, with a weekslong waitlist. It had the first sidewalk dining allowed in Seattle, designed by world-renowned Gay landscape architect R. David Adams. It was a wonderful time in his life.
When circumstances forced the sale of the business, he moved on to work for Washington state at a liquor store, learning management skills, and then to Washington State Ferries, where he worked in dock and personnel management until retirement. Throughout his careers, Tom formed lifelong friendships and was very committed to his workplace.
Tom loved the Gay community, and he loved to travel. He was Mr. Wrangler (Spokane) and Flash and Trash (Spokane), and was crowned Mr. Gay Washington (1978) and Olympia 17, Empress of Seattle Olympic and Rainer Empires (1987). He was active in many events and was also known as Cha-Cha.
When able, he loved planning trips and traveling, visiting every continent — some several times — on tours and cruises. He enjoyed luxurious meals, meeting people, lively conversation, and many activities: from swimming with dolphins to zip lines and more, he tried it all. Tom’s gourmet cooking skills were also beyond description and resulted in many wonderful meals for friends and family.
Tom loved family and celebrations, birthdays, Christmas, Easter (a favorite time to dress well), and Thanksgiving. He loved his nephews, Jack and Rock Rantz, and was a wonderful uncle, showering them with gifts, especially watches. Tom had a loving relationship with his brother John and sister-in-law MaryAnn. Most of all, Tom’s love for his mom and dad was endless, and he always had their love and support in all his endeavors. Tom and John were preparing to celebrate their mother’s 100th birthday the following weekend when Tom had the accident.
A final “Bon Voyage” will be held in honor of Tom Rantz on Oct. 11, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Union, 1009 E. Union St., Seattle.
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