Thomas Haywood Blevins
courtesy photo
Thomas Blevins
RONAN — Tom, 91, passed away peacefully on Aug. 29, after a short stay in the hospital.
Tom was born on June 30, 1923, in Chinook, Mont. to Grover and Mildred Blevins. He was the sixth of 13 children. He attended school until the ninth grade when he decided his calling was helping at the ranch. Besides working the ranch, Tom held several other jobs, such as at the Conservation Corps and Boeing. It was about this time World War II started and he enlisted in the United States Army as a mechanic. He was in the “B” Company, 390th AAA Unit and when he came home in 1945, he was a Staff Sergeant of his company.
After coming home, Tom worked at the Radar Base north of Havre, for a short time, and then returned to the family ranch and continued to ranch with his father and brother Jim. It was about this time Tom met his wife to be, Elone Strissel. He married his sweetheart on Nov. 12, 1955. They moved to the Mission Valley in the spring of 1961,where they raised their four boys and continued to raise cattle.
When Tom wasn’t busy with the ranch, he enjoyed helping his sons with their 4-H projects, following his children and grandchildren in their school sports and visiting with his many friends. He was a strong supporter of his church and held the position of an Elder for several years.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents Grover and Mildred Blevins; Elone his lovely bride of 53 years; sisters Virginia, Frances, Celia, Florence, Laro and Juanita; and brothers Lawrence and Jim.
Tom is survived by his brother Lee and sisters Mona (Bob) Groat of Vancouver, Wash., Louise (Bunny) Albert of Missoula, and Lorraine Young of Vancouver, Wash.; sons Keith (Rose), Clark (Sandie), Craig (Beth), and Wayne (Kellie). He also leaves behind 13 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services have been held.
Memorials can be made in Tom’s name to: the VFW in Ronan, Charlo Senior Citizens Center or St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ronan.
