Dee Thomas McKern

Tom passed away on October 4th following a swift return of cancer.

Tom was born in Colville Washington in 1942 to Dee and Ina McKern. He was raised in Rice, Washington. Tom graduated from Kettle Falls High School in 1960. Following graduation, Tom completed ROTC at WSU where he also obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science and Natural Resources. He served in Vietnam with the US Army from 1965 to 1967 where he was awarded a Bronze Star for Valor and a Purple Heart.

In 1969 his only child, Thomas (Tom/Tommy) Dee McKern was born. In 1991, Tom married Carolyn L. Chase. Shortly after their marriage they moved into his childhood home where they lived together until his death. Tom had a love for travel. Together with Carolyn, grandkids, nieces, nephews, siblings and friends they explored places like Costa Rica, River Cruises and more. Annual trips to Hawaii with family and treasured friends became Tom's favorite.

Tom was a man of service, joining and serving in a multitude of organizations. He served 2 terms as Stevens County Commissioner from 1987-1994. In 1995, Tom was appointed to the Spokane Community College Board of Trustees. He spent many years on the Board of Supervisors for the Stevens County Conservation District. Tom was a very active Grange Member, serving in many state and local leadership roles for which he received a number of awards. Tom, like his father, served as chair of the Grange Insurance Board. In December 2024 after 28 years, Tom retired as chairman and was highly celebrated at a dinner in Seattle in his honor.

While Tom was a humble, accomplished and valued leader of his community; he was most proud of his family's cattle ranch which his grandparents, Oscar and Mamie McKern, began in 1903. He dedicated much of his life to caring for the land and carrying out the family tradition. So much so that he earned the title of "Grandpa Cow" to his great grandchildren. He worked alongside his son, Thomas Dee, before his passing in 2002 at the age 32. Following his son's death, he was blessed by the friendship and help of his neighbor Dan Arnott. Through Dan's loyalty and comfort, he became like a son to Tom. In recent years, Tom took great pride in mentoring his grandson, Tory, to continue the McKern Family legacy. In true Tom fashion, he made one big and final step in preparing Tory to carry out the work they both loved. Just weeks before his passing, Tom purchased the first tractor with working A/C and heat the McKern's have ever owned.

Tom was preceded in death by his son Thomas Dee McKern; his father Dee McKern; mother Ina McKern; brother Daniel Reeder and sister Patricia Clemons. He is survived by his wife Carolyn McKern (Chase); grandson Tory Thomas Daniel McKern; granddaughter Tawni Dee Zerba (McKern) and husband Myles; grandson Thomas Maverick McKern; granddaughter Micaela Larson (Lieseke) and husband Nat; great grandchildren Dennis Landry Zerba and BaiLee Wren Doris Zerba; brother Dennis McKern; sister Diane Showalter, and numerous cousins, in-laws and nieces and nephews.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers and in honor of Tom's life, memorial contributions may be made to Quillisascut Grange.

A public memorial service will be held at the Colville Ag Trade Center on November 11th at 11am; he will be interned at Mountain View Cemetery at a private service. Please wear your WSU gear or a flannel in honor of Tom. A meal will be provided by the local Grange's.