Couples' Father Dies At Age 74

Tom Couples, father of golfer Fred Couples, died Thursday at Providence Medical Center after an eight-year battle with leukemia. He was 74.

Couples was a retired Seattle Parks Department employee.

His father's declining health had prompted Fred to withdraw from two events, the World Cup of Golf and this weekend's nationally televised Skins Game in La Quinta, Calif.

In addition to Fred, 38, who lives in Dallas, Couples is survived by son Tom Jr., daughter Cindy Sparks, who both live in Kent, and two grandchildren, Angela Gamba and Anthony Couples. His wife, Violet, died in 1994.

A funeral service is set for 1 p.m. Tuesday at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Renton. The body will be cremated.

Memorial contributions can be sent to the Thomas and Violet Couples Cancer Fund at the Swedish Foundation, 747 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122.