Thomas Drebes
courtesy photo
Thomas Drebes
PABLO — Thomas Albert Drebes, 68, was born on May 22, 1953, to Albert Drebes and Margery (Hahn) Drebes in Polson. He lived out his life on the family farm east of Pablo. He attended school in Pablo and then Ronan High School. He graduated in 1971. He was charter member of the Skyliners Jeep Club. He took part in trail rides and helped put on the annual rallies. The rallies were held out across from the Stock Car track. Later, the rallies were held on the Drebes farm. The last one there was in 1998.
He worked many years at the Pack River Lumber Company running the resaw and trim-saw. When the mill shut down he worked for Fleming Farms.
After his father passed away he ran the family farm until he could no longer manage it due to his health. He worked at many other jobs here and there, including logging in the North Fork of the Flathead River where he lived in a tent and dealt with bears every day.
He worked at Peevees (now Westland Seed) right out of high school for a while. He was a clerk at the Finley Point Store for a couple years. He mowed county roads a couple of summers. He worked for Jim Nethercott for a year, logging. This all gave him plenty of tales to tell.
He married Beverly Ann Avery in 2003 at the Cardston Alberta Temple on July 4. She still remains on the farm.
He was plagued by a left knee injury from his teen years, had type 2 diabetes and heart troubles. He later had lower bowel cancer, his gall bladder removed and finally lost the battle to lung failure.
His real loves were hunting and fishing. He was a member of the NRA and RMEF. The family hunted out of Haugen many years over the Thanksgiving holiday, a family tradition still.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his three sisters, Betty Arlint of Kalispell, Phyllis Day of Shelton, Washington, and Henrietta of Pablo.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly; his stepdaughter, Ashley (Joel) Baker; his step granddaughter, Sophia Becker; his sister, Alberta Allen of Cocolalla, Idaho; his brother, Robert (Aubrey) Drebes of Pablo; his seven nieces, five nephews, and many great nieces and nephews. He had no children of his own.
His memorial service will be held on July 10 at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1202 Fourth Ave. E, in Polson.
Lunch will be provided.
