Mass of Christian burial for Thomas F. McGonigal, 86, of Baker, Mont., was Nov. 21 at St. John's Catholic Church in Baker, Mont., with the Rev. Father Thomas Tobin celebrating. Rite of Committal followed in St. John's Catholic Cemetery at Baker with full military rites by the Baker American Legion, Fallon Post No. 35 and the Montana Army National Guard Honor Guard.
Thomas McGonigal 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 Nov. 15, 2011. He grew up on the family ranch and attended schools at Bellevue. After graduation he joined the 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, Mont., graduating in 1950 with a degree in English and education. It was at Carroll that he met his future wife, Mary F. Larpenteur, on a blind date. He moved to Baker, Mont., 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 1950s, he had an active part in the transplantation of wild turkeys into the Custer National Forest near Ekalaka, Mont. He worked for more than 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 and 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 of Helena and John (Rosemary) of Jerome, Idaho; four daughters, Mary (Bob) of Lewistown, Patricia of Minot, N.D., Kerry (Robert) of Litchfield, Mich., and Kathleen (John) of Kissimmee, Fla.; and one son, Michael (Sandra) of Jonesville, Mich. He has 12 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.
