Thomas J. "Big Tom" Lairy

CORNELL – Thomas "Big Tom" J. Lairy, Sr., 66, of Cornell, passed away Saturday morning July 30, 2011, surrounded by loved ones at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire.

Tom was born on Jan. 15, 1945 the son of James and June (Allen) Lairy in Chippewa Falls. He was raised in Cornell. Thomas married Loraine Capek on May 8, 1965 in Cornell. Tom was employed for nine years at the St. Regis Paper Mill in Cornell and then for 38 years at AMPI Dairy in Jim Falls. He also proudly served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 30 years.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and spending time with his grandchildren.

Tom is survived by: his wife, Loraine Lairy; son, Thomas (Jacqueline) Lairy, Jr.; daughter, Shelley Lairy; grandchildren, Aaron Lairy and Jada Goettl; sisters, Karen Leverenz, Sharon Lairy and Lynn (Dan) Russo; a brother, Richard (Melanie) Lairy; and also by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; brother-in-law, Ronald Leverenz; and father- and mother-in-law, Joe and Betty Capek.

Memorial services will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 4 at the Borton-Leiser Funeral Home in Cornell with Scott Capek officiating. Interment will follow the services at the Cornell Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Cornell American Legion.

A memorial visitation for family and friends will be from 2-4 p.m. on Thursday at the Borton-Leiser Funeral Home.