Thomas Joseph McCleary

ROUNDUP - Thomas Joseph McCleary, longtime Roundup businessman, died May 23, 2007, surrounded by his huge and loving family. He was born Oct. 17, 1930, in Roundup, the son of Thomas and Ruth McCleary. He was raised with his three brothers and four sisters.
Tom graduated from Roundup High School in 1948, and went to college at Gonzaga for the next two years, the only two years he did not live in Roundup his whole life.
Tommy married the love of his life, Dorothy Redel, in 1949, and then the daughters began to arrive, six of them in nine years. Son Mike came six years after that. This large family blossomed over the years to a large, close-knit clan. The six girls and Mike all married, and Tom and Dot now have 19 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
After returning from college, Tom worked in Roundup for Ford Garage and Staunton Chevrolet, greasing cars to support his wife and young family. He also worked in the oil fields, on the railroad and in the Prescott coal mine, usually working at least two jobs at a time. He bought the Texaco Bulk Plant in Roundup in 1955, and began his career as an entrepreneur and businessman. He went on to purchase and run three Roundup service stations and the Big Sky Motel. He modeled an exemplary work ethic to his family and customers, often getting up in the middle of the night to deliver fuel to oil wells or customers who ran out on cold, winter evenings. Every one of his children and grandchildren internalized Tom's belief in service and reliability. His businesses thrived; he and Dorothy threw themselves into the busy and rewarding life of raising babies, and toddlers, finally teenagers, and then they began that cycle again as their grandchildren began to arrive. Tom has been at the center of this big family for 58 years.
He and Dorothy retired when they were 58 and have spent the last 18 years traveling, enjoying friends and loving every moment spent with family.
A highlight of his later years was his big blue Honda Gold Wing. Tom and Dot even rode their motorcycle to Alaska three times. They traveled to 49 states, Canada and Mexico in their motor home, never tiring of the thrill of planning the next trip. Tom loved living in his childhood hometown forever, but he also loved to travel, and was planning a trip to Ohio this summer.
He loved going for coffee with his cronies every morning, tinkering on his Model Ts and As, and eating Dot's delectable meals. Tom woke up each day with a sense of adventure and purpose. Living each moment for his family and friends, he was the epitome of a family man.
Tom is survived by his wife, Dorothy; six daughters and one son, Diana Knudson and husband Russ, Donna Funk and husband Bill, Debbie Ling and husband Larry, Denise Watkins and husband Terry, Denelle Smith and husband Dick, Doreen Rech and husband Mitch, Mike McCleary and wife Sara. He has 19 grandchildren: Marci Funk, Jennifer Funk, Brandon Funk, Kris Knudson, Kelly Larson, Kale Knudson, Charlie Knudson, Zach Watkins, Ben Watkins, Sam Watkins, Tanya Bender, Jenny Bender, Ashley Rech, Sterling Rech, Breanna McCleary, Katie McCleary, Brett McCleary and Sydney McCleary. He has 10 great-grandchildren: Morgan Belville, Redel Evans, Kyle Knudson, Riley Knudson, Blake Knudson, Parker Knudson, Jaret Knudson, Kailyn Knudson, Reese Knudson and Ava Larson. He is also survived by his sister, Jane Baldwin, and brother, Pat McCleary.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, three sisters and three brothers.
A memorial service will be held June 4, at 10 a.m., at St. Benedict's Catholic Church, with a luncheon to follow. Cremation has taken place.
Wier Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.