Thomas Kent Schooler

Thomas Kent Schooler, 55, of Kellogg, passed away Sunday, June 21. Tom was born in Coeur d'Alene on November 17, 1953, to Howard F. and Beatrice G. (Albertson) Schooler. He attended local schools, graduating from Coeur d'Alene High School in 1972. After graduation he attended North Idaho College for a short time, and also worked for the Bunker Hill Mining and Smelting Company.In 1976 Tom married Marilyn Schivley of Coeur d'Alene. Following in his father's footsteps, Tom became a carpenter by trade, and worked on public buildings in Grand Junction, CO, and Coeur d'Alene. Tom and Marilyn had three children: Jason, Eli, and Alicia. The couple divorced in 1982. Tom continued to work as a carpenter in Coeur d'Alene, and also spent a short time working in Hawaii. In 1991 Tom met Pamela Renee Schafer, formerly of Odessa, WA. They were married in Coeur d'Alene on Christmas Eve, 1993, and made their home in Coeur d'Alene, Cataldo, and finally, Kellogg. Throughout the years, Tom was employed by Polin Construction and other area companies, and took great pride in the work he did both as a laborer and foreman in remodeling and new construction of many local businesses.In 2004 Tom was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a condition he had unknowingly been fighting for many years. When he became unable to work, he delivered newspapers in the Kellogg area for a short time. He later was also diagnosed with cancer.Tom enjoyed life and people, and could always find the quirky, upbeat side of problems. He leaves behind his wife, Pam, of Kellogg; sons, Jason and Eli of Post Falls; granddaughter, Carmin Slaney-Schooler of Post Falls; daughter, Alicia & DJ Bolling of Spokane; stepsons, Colby Brown of the Bahamas, and Brady and Heather Brown of Spokane; sisters, Karen and Dave Grindle of Meridian, and Bette and Ray Meredith of Coeur d'Alene; several nieces and nephews. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Bea Schooler, and his sister, Sandra Hoss. He will be greatly missed by his many friends and family. A memorial service will be held 1:00 P.M. Saturday, June 27, at the Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene Chapel. Interment will be in Rice, WA. Memorials may be made to the National MS Society, PO Box 4527, New York, NY 10163.