Dale Christie Thom, age 75 of Miles City, MT passed away the evening of March 21, 2019 at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings, Montana surrounded by family.
Dale was born June 23, 1943 to Beatrice St. Hilaire and Melvin Christie Thom in Faribault, Minnesota. He was the first born of six children.
He attended grade school at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Faribault, and high school in Medford, Minnesota. Throughout his childhood, Dale was known as “Gopher.” He got his GED in the Navy, and continued on to get his Bachelor’s of Science in Naval Engineering. His service in the navy included the Vietnam War, work on the USS Constellation, and Guantanamo during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Dale received two Purple Hearts for his service.
After leaving the Navy, Dale had a lengthy career in many areas, including carpentry, electrical, railroad, the timber industry, and maintenance. Dale returned to school at the University of Montana to get his teaching degree. Dale taught in Malta, Superior, Dodson, and Jordan, where he retired from teaching. Dale was loved by all of his students.
In February of 1991, Dale married the love of his life, Pearl Siirila-Cully. Dale and Pearl enjoyed dancing, gambling, traveling, fishing, and hunting, and Pearl always enjoyed Dale’s tall tales. They established The Wood Box and carried it on for many years by doing hardwood floors and making wooden treasures. They were generous in their donations to many causes.
Dale loved life, but the parts he didn’t enjoy could always be improved with a good scotch, or a bad scotch (hold the water). As a person, Dale either loved you or hated you, and he made it known either way. Dale was a good neighbor, and especially enjoyed the company of Pete and June Minow.
Dale is survived by his only daughter Rosemary (Terry) Leider, grandsons Mathew, Andrew, and Mitchell; step children Traci (Cameron) Duffin, and Kip Cully; step grandchildren Hailey, Kent, Zachary, Zane, and Zayden; his siblings Loretta “Lulu” Thom (Leonard) Fierst, Tom (Teresa) Thom, Melvin L (Gayle) Thom, and Daniel (Kathleen) Thom; sister-in-law Jane; and many nieces and nephews. Dale is preceded in death by his infant daughter Rebecca, parents Melvin and Bea, wife Pearl, and brother Allen.
The family would like to recognize the special friendship Dale had with the Murnion family: Travis, Wendy, Grayce, Sterling, and Isabelle, who knew him as “Papa Dale,” as well as all of the other special friends who gave Dale so much joy.
To honor Dale further, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or a charity of one’s choosing.
Visitation will be held on Monday, March 25, 2019 with the family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow with full military honors in the Eastern Montana Veterans Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday March 25, 2019
Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday March 26, 2019
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City , Montana 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
Tuesday March 26, 2019
Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday March 25, 2019
Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday March 26, 2019
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City , Montana 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
Tuesday March 26, 2019
Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Levi smutt says
Sorry about your loss he was a great man
Lori Murnion says
Dale will be missed by everyone who knew him, we loved him very much
Judy Blunt says
I spoke with Dale on the phone frequently in the past couple of years, reminiscing about the Malta and Missoula days. He often mentioned the kindness of Lori and others who helped when he needed it. Thank you for taking care of him. He lived a life of service–first to his country in Vietnam, then as an industrial arts teacher with a flock of kids following him around. He could build dang near anything out of wood, and he gave most of it away. Dale was a fierce cribbage player, a skilled hunter and fisherman and in his younger days, he loved to dance. He told goofy jokes. He was a good friend.
Darbie Karch says
Dale was one of a kind. He would always keep us entertained at the pharmacy. Full of jokes. Condolences to his family. He will b missed by all.
Dodie Paxson says
Dale you will be missed by all you touched in life! Hope you and Pearl are enjoying a ditch and a dance or two! Your presence here on earth enriched us all. I am proud to have called you friend!
Scott and Katie Merkel says
Family and Friends,
I am so sorry for your loss. Dale was such a character and always made us laugh. He was an amazing carpenter and taught some many. Many thoughts and prayers
The Merkel family
Tina Gjerald says
What an honorable life your dad lived Rosie. I’m sure you are very proud of him and rightfully so!! Thinking of your at this time of loss. Take care.
Ken Minow says
Deepest condolences to Dale’s family.He was indeed a great neighbor of my parents and I know they will really miss him. Ken Minow
Pete and June Minow says
Dale was a wonderful neighbor and friend. We enjoyed his many stories and we always had lots of laughs together. We will miss him so much. Extending our sympathy to his family and all those so special to him.
Teena Bollinger says
Dale was one of a kind with a super sense of humor. I first got to know him was he was the shop teacher in Jordan and I subbed at the school. Just a couple of weeks ago we had lunch with him, Cody, Travis, and Wendy at the Tilt Wurks. He kept us entertained. Our deepest sympathy to all the family on your loss.
Glen and Teena Bollinger
Terry Lynn Minow says
My deepest condolences to Dale’s family and friends. Mom & Dad always enjoyed spending time with him and had great stories to tell about what he said and did. He was a good man and wonderful neighbor and they will miss him so much. Love to you all.
Lisa LaVerdure-Stout says
Mr. Thom was my shop teacher in Dodson. He was a great teacher. He taught me not to be afraid of the table saw and other tools. I appreciated his kindness and patients. I learn a lot from him. I’ve been out of school for nearly 30 years he was a teacher that you never got . RIP Mr. Thom.
Karen Witt says
I did not know Mr. Thom personal but he was my son Owen’s shop teacher in Jordan and Owen thought a lot of him. He showed Owen how to make cedar trinket boxes out of old cedar posts.
Dennis Broadbrooks says
It’s been many years since I saw you and now I found you! You where inspiring and a friend to all that knew you at Malta High School 1978. Terry Idler was your step son, my friend and my classmate. I remembered the day you left Malta High School and we all cried, including you!!! Sorry we couldn’t get back together to have another laugh, because you knew how to bring out the best and you loved us all! Sorry to your family for your loss, and we will never forget Dale. He will be forever in my heart!
SHILO MESSERLY says
I am the same as Dennis Broadbrooks, it has been many years since I saw you and now that I found you…you are gone. Mr Thom was the best shop teacher Dodson could’ve found! I spent all my spare time and half my Senior year in Mr Thom class. I still have a desk he helped me design, draw and build in my house. He was one that you knew if he liked you or not.. but if he didn’t like you…you gave him a reason not to! Lol. I graduated from DHS in 1989 and I still use skills he taught me everyday. To the family he leaves behind…sorry for your loss of a great man..Enjoy his memories..I have no doubt he left us all with some great ones!
SHILO MESSERLY says
Mr Thom was the best shop teacher Dodson could’ve found! I spent all my spare time and half my Senior year in Mr Thom class. I still have a desk he helped me design, draw and build in my house. He was one that you knew if he liked you or not.. but if he didn’t like you…you gave him a reason not to! Lol. I graduated from DHS in 1989 and I still use skills he taught me everyday. To the family he leaves behind…sorry for your loss of a great man..Enjoy his memories..I have no doubt he left us all with some great ones!