1928
Thomas
2012
Thomas Gale Fitzpatrick
October 31, 1928 — July 10, 2012
Thomas Gale Fitzpatrick, age 83, passed away Tuesday, July 10, 2012. Tom was born on October 31, 1928 as the 4th child of Fred and Lela (Anderson) Fitzpatrick, at the family home in Oliver Gulch near Hot Springs, MT.
He attended rural schools in the surrounding area for the first few years and later transferred to the school in Hot Springs. In high school, Tom excelled in football and basketball. In November of 1954, he was drafted by the U.S. Army, where he served his country until his honorable discharge in 1956, where he returned to the ranch in Oliver Gulch.
In the spring of 1959, he met Ione Pollard, whom he married on December 18, 1959 in Ronan, MT. From this union, four sons were born. Thomas Daniel (Arlene) Fitzpatrick, and their sons, Jason and Bo Daniel of Curlew, WA. Brett Joseph (Elisha) Fitzpatrick, and their sons, Payton and Grey Fitzpatrick of Polson, MT. Jack Edward (Lanita) Fitzpatrick of Polson, and their son Loren (Rachel) serving in the U.S. Navy in Norfolk, VA., daughter Dillon Rebecca Fitzpatrick, serving in the U.S. National Guard in Afghanistan, daughter Katie Fitzpatrick of Big Timber, MT, and stepson Estebon Barahona of Polson, MT. Zane Gale (Sandi) Fitzpatrick, and their sons, Timothy, Bridger, and Caden Fitzpatrick of Polson, MT, daughter, Mary Fitzpatrick Matt (Joe Santos) and her children, Danny, Eric, and Katelyn and family of Ronan, MT.
Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Lela Fitzpatrick; sisters, Violet and Eva; brothers, Fred J. and Robert D. Fitzpatrick.
He is survived by his wife Ione Fitzpatrick; his four sons and families; sister, Alicia Whitman of St. Ignatius, MT., her son, Jessie (Bud) Fitzpatrick, and wife Carol and family of Charlo, MT.; brother, Jim (June) Fitzpatrick of Helena, MT and their daughter Rhonda (Mike) Hinman of Polson, MT; sister-in-law, Cheryl (Robert D.) Fitzpatrick and their daughters Diana Fitzpatrick (Cody) Smith and family of Hot Springs and Stacy (Bruce) Stinger and family of Ronan, MT; sister-in-law, Lorelia (Jerry) Smith and family of Charlo, MT; brother-in-law, Mandel (Florence) Pollard and family of Gooding, ID.
Tom was a rancher all of his life and he loved his cows and sheep. He had built a top herd of Angus cattle over the years. He always had a positive attitude and a strong will. He was an inspiration to many and a great motivator. He was a strong man mentally and physically. Tom was a devoted family man with a tranquil voice and had a talent for capturing an audience with his story telling and poetry. He was always making up songs and singing a tune while working on the ranch. He had big strong hands, that had seen a lot of experience and performed many jobs and could also comfort with a pat on the back. He was often sought out by many for advice on ranching or farming, or just life in general.
Tom was dearly loved by his family and was known as Papa Tom to his dear grandchildren, whom he adored and was adored in return. We will miss you Papa.
He attended rural schools in the surrounding area for the first few years and later transferred to the school in Hot Springs. In high school, Tom excelled in football and basketball. In November of 1954, he was drafted by the U.S. Army, where he served his country until his honorable discharge in 1956, where he returned to the ranch in Oliver Gulch.
In the spring of 1959, he met Ione Pollard, whom he married on December 18, 1959 in Ronan, MT. From this union, four sons were born. Thomas Daniel (Arlene) Fitzpatrick, and their sons, Jason and Bo Daniel of Curlew, WA. Brett Joseph (Elisha) Fitzpatrick, and their sons, Payton and Grey Fitzpatrick of Polson, MT. Jack Edward (Lanita) Fitzpatrick of Polson, and their son Loren (Rachel) serving in the U.S. Navy in Norfolk, VA., daughter Dillon Rebecca Fitzpatrick, serving in the U.S. National Guard in Afghanistan, daughter Katie Fitzpatrick of Big Timber, MT, and stepson Estebon Barahona of Polson, MT. Zane Gale (Sandi) Fitzpatrick, and their sons, Timothy, Bridger, and Caden Fitzpatrick of Polson, MT, daughter, Mary Fitzpatrick Matt (Joe Santos) and her children, Danny, Eric, and Katelyn and family of Ronan, MT.
Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Lela Fitzpatrick; sisters, Violet and Eva; brothers, Fred J. and Robert D. Fitzpatrick.
He is survived by his wife Ione Fitzpatrick; his four sons and families; sister, Alicia Whitman of St. Ignatius, MT., her son, Jessie (Bud) Fitzpatrick, and wife Carol and family of Charlo, MT.; brother, Jim (June) Fitzpatrick of Helena, MT and their daughter Rhonda (Mike) Hinman of Polson, MT; sister-in-law, Cheryl (Robert D.) Fitzpatrick and their daughters Diana Fitzpatrick (Cody) Smith and family of Hot Springs and Stacy (Bruce) Stinger and family of Ronan, MT; sister-in-law, Lorelia (Jerry) Smith and family of Charlo, MT; brother-in-law, Mandel (Florence) Pollard and family of Gooding, ID.
Tom was a rancher all of his life and he loved his cows and sheep. He had built a top herd of Angus cattle over the years. He always had a positive attitude and a strong will. He was an inspiration to many and a great motivator. He was a strong man mentally and physically. Tom was a devoted family man with a tranquil voice and had a talent for capturing an audience with his story telling and poetry. He was always making up songs and singing a tune while working on the ranch. He had big strong hands, that had seen a lot of experience and performed many jobs and could also comfort with a pat on the back. He was often sought out by many for advice on ranching or farming, or just life in general.
Tom was dearly loved by his family and was known as Papa Tom to his dear grandchildren, whom he adored and was adored in return. We will miss you Papa.
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