Tom J. Shupak Sr.

ABSAROKEE - Tom J. Shupak, Sr., 77, of Absarokee, passed away Tuesday evening, Sept. 18, 2007, at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings, in the presence of his family.
Tom was born Thomas Jefferson Shupak on July 4, 1930, on the family ranch on Dry Creek, south of Bridger, a son of Rudolph and Elizabeth Shupak. He was raised on the ranch, attended the Golden School, and later attended school in Billings. Tom worked on the family ranch, rodeoed, and worked as a pickup man at the Home of Champions Rodeo in Red Lodge.
On June 22, 1963, he married Wilma J. Zaputil at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Red Lodge. They lived on the Shupak Ranch on Dry Creek, and in the Belfry area before settling in Absarokee in 1973.
Ranching was more than an occupation for Tom; it was a way of life. He loved horses and had an innate ability to work with them. Tom enjoyed hunting with his children, and he always had time to visit with his friends. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Charles and Frank; and two sisters, Kay Ewing and Virginia Loyning.
Survivors include his wife, Wilma J. Shupak of Absarokee; two sons, Tom (Deb) Shupak, Jr. and their son Jeremy of Billings, and Steven Shupak of Billings; one daughter, Carol (Keith) Feist and their son Kaycee of Goodyear, Ariz.; and three sisters, Evelyn Harrington of Thousand Oaks, Calif., Eunice Pierce of Billings and Phillis Herman of Phoenix.
Rosary services will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Absarokee. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, in the church. Interment will be in the Absarokee Rosebud Cemetery. Cremation has taken place with Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel of Red Lodge in charge of arrangements.

This obituary was originally published in the Billings Gazette.