Thomas A. Lester, 83, formerly of Libby

The funeral service for Thomas Lester, 83, of Fairview, Mont., is 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 20, 2012, at the Fairview Alliance in Fairview, Mont., with the Rev. Kelly Sloan officiating. 

Cremation will follow the service. Interment of cremains will be at a later date. 

Fulkerson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.fulkersons.com. 

Thomas was born Dec. 27, 1928, the first of eight children born to Joseph and Fern Lester on the family farm near Charbonneau, North Dakota. Tom received his education, grew up and worked in the Charbonneau area until joining the U.S. Army in February 1951, proudly serving two years during the Korean War.

While working as a farmhand for his future father-in-law, Harry Croy, Tom met and later married Ruth Croy on Aug. 19, 1954. Throughout their 47-year marriage, they lived in various parts of Wyoming and North Dakota while Tom worked on seismograph crews, settling in Libby, Mont., in 1963. 

Tom built the family home they resided in for many years and where they welcomed and raised their two daughters, Terri and Cindy. 

Tom started working for the St. Regis Paper Co. in 1963 as a saw filer until an old back injury forced his retirement in 1981. 

Tom’s hobbies included sharpening knives, as nobody could put a sharper edge on a knife than Tom. He loved spending time in the outdoors whether it was a family camping trip, and evening ride up into the cool mountains, hunting or one of the many fishing trips with fishing buddies, Don Kaeding, or brother-in-law, Jim Judkins. 

Late in 2001, Tom and Ruth returned to their childhood roots, moving to Fairview, Mont., to be near their family. Ruth passed away in February 2002. Tom continued to reside in Fairview until failing health forced his move into the Sidney Health Center, where he was a resident for the past six years.

Tom will be forever remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandpa and brother. His incredible sense of humor, gentle manner, honest nature and integrity define the kind of man he was. He was a hard worker, always providing for his family and being a friend to all he encountered. 

Thomas was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church and the American Legion.

Thomas is survived by his daughter, Terri (Garry) Carpenter, granddaughters Connor Lamorie, Madison Lamorie, and McColloh Lamorie all of Cheyenne, Wyo.; sisters, Ida (Bob) Harmon, Arnegard, N.D., Annie (Joe) Tysver, Scranton, N.D., Thelma (Ed) Vrana, Upton, Wyo., Elsie (Ernie) Carsten, Fairview, Mont., Hazel (Dan) Brossman, Lander, Wyo.; brothers, Merle Lester, Lloyd (Sammie) Lester all of Fairview, Mont.; uncle Alvin Wetherelt, Columbia Falls, Mont.; brother-in-law Jim Judkins, Libby; and several cousins and numerous nieces and nephews.

Thomas is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; daughter, Cindy; and his parents.