He had 74 years of adventures. He's been described as "a man's man." An avid hunter, fisherman, gardener and chef. But, most of all, he was a friend to all who met him and an inspiration to many.

His life as an outdoorsman began in his youth in Olive, where he hunted, fished and gardened with his siblings. He joined the Army after graduating from Orange High School, and served in Japan after the end of World War II.

Tom married his wife of 51 years in the Little Church of the West in Las Vegas, Nevada (the chapel is still performing weddings on the Strip). Carolyn quickly learned to camp and fish and hunt. (50th Wedding Anniversary Web Site)

They raised two daughters, Becky and Lori. Though he might have liked to have a son, Tom taught his girls everything he would have shared with a boy (camping, shooting, hunting, scuba diving)-and also prided himself that they were the "belles of the ball."

Tom retired from the phone company after 32 years. He rose through the ranks from a telephone-pole climber to chief engineer-all without a college degree.

In their retirement, Tom and Carolyn traveled the world-to Tahiti, England, Ireland, Scotland, Nova Scotia, Holland, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, Monaco, Mexico, and Canada . . . and every state in the U.S. in their motorhome (even traveling to Hawaii and Alaska-but, not in the motorhome.

Through the years, Tom fished commercially for lobster, swordfish and tuna. He survived the sinking of his tuna boat, the Teddy J. He also freshwater fished in lakes and rivers in the U.S. and Mexico. The fishing stories just got better with time.

He hunted deer, moose, elk, caribou and other game all over the U.S. (including a special trip to Alaska), as well as British Columbia, Canada and Mexico. Tom returned to Montana each year to hunt deer, antelope, and all kinds of birds (many of which are proudly displayed on his walls). Tom also took his family to Hyder and Gila Bend, Arizona, to dove hunt in 110-degree weather each September for many years.

Tom and Carolyn's girls gave them five grandchildren: Jennifer (the very first grandchild), Joey (the only grandson), Holli and Heidi (both born on Christmas), and Tracy (the granddaughter who was "mixed in a dish"). And, Jennifer gave Tom and Carolyn their first great-grandchild, Tasha. Papa always had a funny face and a friendly growl for the kids. Every year he played Easter Bunny and hid the eggs in the yard. He taught them all how to garden and took Joey hunting in Montana.

Tom served as range master at the gun club and was certified as a gun safety trainer. He was proud of all the people he helped to shoot trap and skeet.

He was a creative chef, and enjoyed growing his own vegetables, fruits and herbs. He canned, he cooked and he shared his creations. He loved shopping for cooking utensils and new spices. He watched FoodTV constantly and collected recipes. Many people shared in this year's crop of tomatoes, tended by Tom and Lori. Even in his illness, he fulfilled his desire to teach the next generation to make his mother's chili sauce-with his own improvements on the recipe, of course.

Tom will be greatly missed by many. Thank you for joining us to share happy memories of his incredible journey.