Thomas G. Stack

KALISPELL - Thomas Gerald Stack, 70, a Navy veteran, died of complications from lung surgery Sunday at a Kalispell hospital.
Rosary is 7 p.m. Thursday at Risen Christ Catholic Church. Funeral Mass is 11 a.m. Friday at the church, followed by burial of ashes with military honors in Glacier Memorial Gardens. John-son-Gloschat Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Tom passed away in the arms of his daughters on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell, Mont.
He was born Jan. 23, 1940, in Fort Benton, Mont., the third of four sons to Harold and Maybelle (Bury) Stack. His family ranched throughout Montana and finally settled in Great Falls in 1955.
From 1957 until 1960, Tom served in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed in San Diego and the Philippines before receiving his discharge.
Tom met his future wife, Judith Waldenburg, in January 1961. They wed in June 1962 in Great Falls. Their first daughter, Shelly, was born in 1963. The family then moved to Butte in 1967, and were blessed with another daughter, Stacey, in May 1968.
He had various jobs throughout his life - a greens keeper, truck dispatcher, assistant manager and finally a manager of a liquor store - before his retirement in 2006.
Tom loved to fish, and was able to enjoy many of the waterways Montana has to offer. Fly-fishing, Mac fishing, trolling for salmon and ice fishing were among his favorites. It didn't matter the season, there were fish to catch and beer to drink. Tom spent many hours down at the docks on Flathead Lake, fishing with his grandson, Keatin. They both had big dreams of catching the "big one."
Hunting was a passion Tom shared with many friends and family; hunting ducks with Bob LeDuc and trusted companion, "Coco"; and dragging his sons-in–law, his brother Dennis and grandson Keatin along for big-game hunts on the other side of the mountains. Golfing with family and friends also helped pass the time.
Tom was a member of the Flathead Clay Target club. He received multiple awards for his excellent marksmanship. He volunteered many hours running the trap club kitchen during shoots.
He joined the Moose Club in 1994, and continued that loyal membership until his death. His favorite time of the day came at 2 p.m. when the Moose Club opened and he was able to share in a friendly conversation with friends too numerous to mention.
Tom loved to spend time with his family. He and Judy were blessed with six grandchildren. From hockey, basketball, football, and baseball to debate and music concerts, they did it all. Some of the proudest moments included his grandson Brady's hockey team winning the state hockey championship; his grandson Chase receiving an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy; his granddaughter Brooke being accepted to the University of Washington School of Medicine; grandson Haiden being accepted into the Davidson Honor College at the University of Montana, to begin his pharmacy education; grandson Keatin being the one to carry on the love of hunting and fishing; and finally his grand-daughter Kynzie for her honesty and sense of humor.
Tom was diagnosed with lung cancer in April 2010. With aggressive treatment and care, it was determined that surgery would be needed. Tom wasn't able to recover from the surgery. A special thanks to the nurses, physicians and care professionals who touched his life during this journey.
He was preceded in death by his father, Harold Stack; and an infant daughter.
He is survived by his wife, "the bride" of 48 years, Judy of Kalis-pell, Mont.; daughters Shelly Christiaens and husband Brian of Great Falls, Mont., and their children, Chase, Brooke and Brady; and Stacey Mohl and husband Dave of Missoula, and their children Haiden, Keatin and Kynzie; his mother, Maybelle Stack of Spanaway, Wash.; his brothers, Dennis Stack of Kalispell, Jon Stack of Snohomish, Wash., and Neil Stack of Sandy, Utah; numerous nieces and nephews; and his best friend, Wayne "Jake" Jacobson.
Condolences may be posted online at www.jgfuneralhome.com and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.