Thomas Andrew Klomparens

Thomas Andrew Klomparens of Cody, Wyoming passed away in Billings, Montana, at Canyon Creek Memory Care on September 29, 2025. He was born on March 16, 1938 in Holland, Michigan to Vernon and Dorothy Mae Klomparens. He graduated from Holland High and Hope College with a degree in Social Studies. On August 8, 1959, he married Sandra Johnsson in Holland. They moved to Wayland, Michigan where Tom taught and coached for three years while he entered a graduate program at the University of Michigan. Then the West called them to Rawlins, Wyoming so Tom could teach, coach, fish, and hunt! While there, Tom received an assistant ship from the University of Wyoming in Laramie, enabling him to finish his Masters in counseling, while coaching at UW's Lab School, prompting yet another move.

Tom was hired at Park County School District #6 in Cody, Wyoming where he was a guidance counselor for 34 years. Working with students in Jr. High, Sr. High and Cody Middle Schools was a true passion. He also coached basketball, football, track, and cross-country skiing for 41 years. He retired in 2000 so he could fish year-round, and hunt and fish he did! Not getting a moose permit in Wyoming didn't stop him from hunting moose, he just went to Canada and Siberia, Russia, above the Arctic Circle to hunt. He also fished many times in Canada with his fishing buddies and with his grandsons in Michigan. Those grandsons were the love of his life! He would drive to Colorado to watch them play sports, teach them to fish, drive a truck, and to shoot a gun of course!

Tom was involved in the community, serving on Cody City Counsel for two terms, volunteered with CASA, Cody Cupboard, Backpack for Kids, and Bright Futures. He was a long-time member of the Rotary, serving as their president and opening his home to many exchange students. He was a member of Cody Presbyterian Church, serving as a deacon and elder. His home was opened over the years to 13 young people who needed a home for a while. Another enjoyment was his involvement in the Big Horn Basin Boat Club, fishing of course.

He farmed, grew sod, and had a landscape business for many years, hiring students of course. He loved working with them while they learned to work hard. Now this wasn't enough to keep Tom busy as Meeteetse needed a certified counselor and he didn't hesitate to say "Yes!" for seven years. Sandy and Tom also enjoyed traveling solo and with friends outside the US. They cruised to many places after retiring. Tom didn't like crossing the oceans, so this ended after a while.

Tom loved Cody and everything about it. They built a home in Arizona, lived in it for two months, sold it and came back to Cody because that was home.

Tom is survived by his wife of sixty-six years, Sandy, daughter Tina (Mike) McCrery of Fort Collins, Colorado, grandsons Spencer and Walker Allnut of Colorado, sister Luanne Bloom of Kalamazoo, Michigan and bonus son Ron Brasher of Cody, Wyoming. Preceding him in death were his parents, sister Andrea, and his son Steven Thomas.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Backpack for Kids, 2025 23rd St, Cody, Wyoming; or a charity of your choice.

Tom's family wishes to thank the staff at Canyon Creek Memory Care for all the excellent professional care and love they gave Tom during his years there.

Services are pending with Ballard Funeral Home.