Thomas McGonigal

Mass of Christian Burial for Thomas F. McGonigal, 86, of Baker, Montana will be at 11:00 a. m. on Monday, November 21, 2011, at St. John?s Catholic Church in Baker, Montana with The Reverend Father Thomas Tobin celebrating. Rite of Committal will follow in St. John?s Catholic Cemetery at Baker with Full Military Rites by the Baker American Legion, Fallon Post #35 and the Montana Army National Guard Honor Guard. Visitation will be 2:00 p. m. to 8:00 p. m. on Sunday, November 20th, at Stevenson Funeral Home with a Rosary and Vigil Service at 3:00 p. m. Thomas was born at home on the Spring of Gladness Ranch outside of Bellevue, Idaho, on July 21, 1925, to Mary and George McGonigal. His family included one older brother, Michael, and two younger brothers, George and John. He died at his home on November 15, 2011. He grew up on the family ranch and attended schools at Bellevue. After graduation he joined the US Army Air Corps. He served one tour of duty as a Staff Sergeant and ball turret gunner on the B-17 aircraft with the 3706 Army Air Forces Base Unit in England. Tom was awarded three Bronze Battle Stars, a Bronze Cluster, one Sliver Cluster and three Oak Leaf Clusters for his service during his tour of service in the Army. He attended Carroll College in Helena, Montana, graduating in 1950 with a degree in English and education. It was at Carroll where he met his future wife, Mary F. Larpenteur on a blind date. He moved to Baker, Montana, and accepted his first job at Baker High School to teach English and Latin. Through the years he spent many hours coaching young people. He became an administrator and retired after 40 years with the Baker Schools. To show appreciation for his many years of service and dedication, the gym was named the McGonigal Gymnasium in his honor. Tom was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fishing, hunting, and artifact collecting. In the early 50s, he had an active part in the transplantation of wild turkeys into the Custer National Forest near Ekalaka, Montana. He worked for over 30 years as an instructor of the Hunter Safety Education Program teaching both archery and rifle safety. He received numerous awards for his service and dedication from the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. During his summer months Tom worked for many years for the USDA Soil Conservation Service working with farmers and ranchers in eastern Montana on conservation measures. He was an active member of St. John?s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, the Lions Club, Jaycees, and numerous other organizations. He served as a board member on the Fallon County Hospital Board, the Fallon County Museum Board, and was a city councilman. When asked, he was always willing to support his community in any way he could. He is survived by two brothers, Michael McGonigal of Helena and John (Rosemary) McGonigal of Jerome, Idaho, four daughters, Mary (Bob) Chamberlin of Lewistown, Patricia McGonigal of Minot, North Dakota, Kerry (Robert) Cavanaugh of Litchfield, Michigan, and Kathleen (John) Littell of Kissimmee, Florida, and one son, Michael (Sandra) McGonigal of Jonesville, Michigan. He has twelve grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, his parents, one brother, George, a son Thomas, and a granddaughter, Meghan. He will be forever remembered for his love of life, his smile, and his wonderful sense of humor.


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Burial Date: November 21, 2011
Funeral Home Baker, MT

Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, St. John’s Catholic Church, Baker, MT