Thomas Michael Charles, known affectionately to many as Tommy, or Bam Bam, passed away unexpectedly May 6, 2012, in his home.        Tommy was born in Wakefield, Mich., on February 27, 1970, to his loving parents Thomas W. and Jacqueline R. (MacLeod) Charles. He attended Roosevelt School in Marenisco from kindergarten through his senior year, graduating in May of 1988.      Upon graduating from high school, Tommy worked full time at Norco Windows in Marenisco. Shortly thereafter, he worked at White Pine Copper Mine, where he was given the nickname Bam Bam, and quickly advanced to the youngest foreman employed with the company.      An ambitious man, Tommy left the mine prior to its closing to build his company, T/C Logging, from the ground up. Devoted to teaching his children strong work ethics, Tommy also went on to purchase a small pizza parlor and convert it into Bam Bam's Bar & Grill Inc., running both of his businesses in his hometown of Marenisco.   A beautiful soul, Tom treasured those who worked with him, they were not employees or subcontractors, they were also his friends…his family.      On December 15, 1990, Tommy married his high school sweetheart, Peggy Sue Niemi. A unique match to man--they referred to one another as, "my heart, my soul…my one, my only…my everything." Together they braved the hardship of the deaths of their daughters Brianna and Stephanie .They were blessed and eternally grateful for their three miracles--daughter Caitlan Anastasia Niemi-Charles, daughter Jennifer Marie Charles and son, Thomas Joseph "T.J." Charles.      Tommy took great pride in all three of his children.  As an avid outdoorsman, he loved spending time with them teaching them how to hunt, fish and ride four-wheelers. He was a devoted husband and father, as well as a loving son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend. During the summer, you would often find Tom with his parents on their pontoon boat. They would spend hours on Lake Gogebic making many stops along the way to visit their friends, pulling the kids on tubes, fishing, jumping off the ladder of the boat to swim or wading on the sandy beach.      Tommy was a gentle man with a heart filled with love, compassion and empathy. He was a firm believer in supporting personal, charitable and community causes and fundraisers. To him, it mattered not if he knew the person or family struggling through a difficult life event. In his 42 yrs of life, he too had experienced the tragedy of a sick child, the loss of a child, an unforeseen illness…Tommy was never one to say no, never one to ask for anything in return--rather taking personal solace in letting those persons know that somewhere out there was a man who cared, understood and empathized.      Tommy was a man who loved life and believed in living his life to the fullest. He treasured his many friends and the memories he had of their times spent together. Whether it was singing karaoke with Kelly Dunbar, going to Michigan games with Billy Powell, taking in a Tosh.O live show with Tony Ringsmuth or listening to Timothy Makela play the guitar… it was the friendship, and not the event attended, that meant the most to him.   The love of his many friends, far too many to mention, brought Tommy a lifetime of memories filled with laughter and happiness.      Tommy loved planning parties that both children and adults could attend…where his friends and family would all sing and dance, his eyes twinkling--watching the enjoyment he brought to many with his turtle races, chicken bingo games, free-of-charge dinner feasts and dusk firework displays at Bam Bam's Bar. His sponsored softball team plays in honor of the memories of Thomas V., Brian C., and Nicholas D. This team is filled with young men who are forever adored by their Bam Bam and will forever be a part of his family.         Tommy is survived by his wife Peggy and their three children, Caitlan Anastasia Niemi-Charles, Jennifer Marie Charles and Thomas Joseph "T.J." Charles, all of Marenisco. Also surviving are his parents, Thomas W. Charles and Jackie Charles, Marenisco; sister, Susan Lee (James), Enid, Okla.; nieces and nephews, Zachary Anderson, Eagle River, Wis., Jacqueline, James, and Rachel Lee, Oklahoma, Justin Ceplina , Green Bay, Wis., Rachel and Ryan Manicki, Colorado, Kiersten, Hannah and Meghan Ferguson, Iron River;  f ather-in-law, Roland Richard Niemi, Wakefield; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Ralph Ceplina, Green Bay, Billie Jo and Mike Manicki, Aurora, Colo., and Bobbi Jo and Edwin Ferguson, Iron River; aunts and uncles, Kim and Bob Adams, Plover, Wis., Bud & Gail Charles, Marenisco, Tim and Jeanie MacLeod, Marenisco, Mark MacLeod, Bessemer, Janie MacLeod, Missouri, Peter MacLeod--war hero, Toma, Wis., Clara Perron, Oregon, Patti (Ken) Reichardt, Marinette, Wis.; and numerous cousins.       He was preceded in death by his beloved daughters Brianna and Stephanie Charles; grandparents, Helen and John MacLeod and Earl and Betty Charles, all of  Marenisco; mother-in-law, Sandra M. Niemi, Wakefield; aunt, Barbara Godleski; and beloved cousin, Scott Godleski.       Per Tommy's wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be a Memorial Service held at the Marenisco Township Hall on May 12th at noon. In respect to his wishes, no formal attire please--casual dress with jeans, shorts and your favorite T-shirt--Bam Bam would have loved to see us all in our best Go Big Blue U of M casual attire, or simply one of the many Bam Bam hats, hoodies or shirts he has given away to his friends over the years.     Our Beloved Bam Bam wanted his final day, not to be one of mourning, but to be a Celebration of his Life.   Following the Memorial Service, we are honoring this wish and ask that you please attend his Life Celebration event at Bam Bam's Bar & Grill, Marenisco..      Bam Bam's obituary can be viewed online and condolences given to his family at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.