Tomas Eldred Lythgoe, age 69, of Montana City passed away in his home on May after a long battle with mesothelioma.
Tom was born on July 23, 1944 in Helena to Eldred Harrop and Bernice Grace Tolman Lythgoe. Born and raised there, he planted very deep roots and never wanted to leave his beautiful home in Montana.
After a wonderful childhood in Helena, MT, he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Marcia Holt on March 30, 1968. They were married for 43 years. He owned several restaurants, including the historic Bluestone and worked for the Dept. of Transportation, and was a public servant as Jefferson County Commissioner for 13 years. He has touched the lives of thousands of people throughout his life as a family man, mentor, coworker, and friend.
Tom loved helping people, working with his horses, taking care of his land and home, and spending time with his beautiful wife, kids, grandkids,
friends, and family.
Tom was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He volunteered his time as a youth counselor, Sunday school teacher, and served in many other church positions. His testimony and love for his Savior was apparent to see as he served and mentored the youth. He connected well with them and taught them through personal experiences and humor.
Tom is survived by his three daughters, Stacy (Matt) Darrington of Idaho Falls, ID: Mikal Wilkerson of Montana City, MT; and Kari (Russ) Holman of Montana City, MT. His surviving sister and brother are Sue Ann Lythgoe (Steve) Zundel of St. Anthony, ID and Gary (Jeannie) Lythgoe of Idaho Falls, ID. His grandchildren include Meghan (Jared) Butt, Matthew (Alissa), Steven, Craig (Trista), and Michael Darrington; Taylor, TJ, Bryndon, Aimee, Jeri, and Jaidyn Wilkerson; and Alec, Sam, and Rylee Holman. He has 5.5 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marcia Lythgoe, sister, Donna Peterson, mother, Grace Lythgoe, and father Eldred Harrop Lythgoe.
Tom’s life was dedicated to his wife, his children, his coworkers, his grandchildren, and his friends. He made his friends and family laugh every day. He spent his energy and time serving others, giving counsel, and being a soundboard to anyone who needed it. He loved his life and all the people in it!
The family will receive friends during a visitation from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday June 1, 2014 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home and also beginning at 9:30 a.m. Monday, June 2, 2014 in the Relief Society Room of the 3rd Ward, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; 1610 6th Avenue. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church. Burial and Dedication of the Grave will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. A reception will be held in the social center of the church following the burial.
To offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Tom please visit below.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sunday June 1, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Visitation
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Monday June 2, 2014
3rd Ward, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
1610 6th Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Service
10:30 a.m.
Monday June 2, 2014
3rd Ward, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
1610 6th Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial
Immediately following the funeral service
Monday June 2, 2014
Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery
7100 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sunday June 1, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Visitation
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Monday June 2, 2014
3rd Ward, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
1610 6th Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Service
10:30 a.m.
Monday June 2, 2014
3rd Ward, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
1610 6th Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial
Immediately following the funeral service
Monday June 2, 2014
Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery
7100 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Share
Susan Andersen says
The Class of 1962, Helena High School would like to send your family our deepest condolences..he was a high school favorite and we will miss him. We are so thankful we got to see him at our last reunion.
Jonathan Hatch says
Our deepest condolences to the Lythgoe family. Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you during this time. I am happy that Tom and Marcia are now reunited. Such wonderful people and great examples to anyone who spent time with them. God be you till we meet again!
Jonathan & Tara Hatch
Auburn, WA
Chad Martin says
Dear Lythgoe family,
I am so saddened to learn of your great loss. I’m sending my love your way. Tom was so very special to me. In my youth, many people I came in contact with did not understand me, were judgmental, unkind or afraid to even talk to me. Not Tom! He accepted me for whom I was and reached out to me with love and kindness, support and respect. I was always greeted with that great big grin, laugh and a strong handshake, followed by a big hug from Marcia if she was there. His advice was always, be who you are and let your detractors bug off. As an adult, he was still supportive of me and my two boys. I’ll never forget Marcia and Tom inviting us into their home for the holidays when we had nowhere else to go. Tom, I will miss you deeply.
With love, Chad
Gary Luther says
Dear Lythgoe family,
We are so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. Tom was a special spirit and we have fond memories of our acquaintance with he and Marcia. Our prayers are with the family.
Love, Gary and Marcia Luther
Steve Evans says
I have known Tom as long as I can remember, and I remember him as one who always had kind words to say to me – from my days as Larry Evans’ little brother growing up in Helena, to getting a ride on his scooter when he was a big teenager and I a little kid, to watching him go serve the Lord in Hong Kong, to being our Sunday School teacher when he returned to Helena, to seeing him and Marcia together as a wonderful couple, to Tom’s undying friendship to my brother, to Tom’s kind words at the funeral of my mom and later at the funeral of my dad. A good man has now moved on to the next chapter of his eternal life.
Most Respectfully,
Steve Evans – Ankeny, Iowa
Margie DeGooyer Green (Phil Green) says
It was so fun to see him in September with others at Jim Elliott party. We send our thoughts and prayers to you all. Mixed feelings. Hate to loose them but are glad they are with loved ones and not suffering any longer. We lost my brother Bob (Robert) just 3 days earlier from Mesothelioma, too. Such a tragedy for those that really are soo young. Remembering our days in Helena and with various family members. Wonderful times. Love to you all.
Larry Petty says
To the Lythgoe Family: Wishing you peace at this difficult time.Thinking of you with deep sympathy and kind thoughts.. Respectfully, Larry
John Ulberg says
Tom and I were friends since about 1955, when I delivered papers to his folks on
8th. Ave. As we got older, we ran around the hills, me on my moped, him on his
scooter. We made bullwhips from Tandy kits so we could keep the charging dogs at
bay. We were two short fellas up thru high school, then I grew a foot taller. Tom never
forgave me. But he got taller than me in so many ways. His comforting counsel extended
to me unconditionally helped me thru some tough times. He knew how to work life, and
quietly affect so many, many people in positive ways. I’ll miss sharing stories and chuckles
with him, but his spirit lives on in my heart.
May the peace of God comfort the family in the loss of this good man.
Crystal Nance says
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Tom. He was such a good man. I worked with Tom at the credit union where he served on the board of directors. I always looked forward to talking with him. He was a great listener and advisor. He was always supportive of me as well as the staff. He was proud of his family and just beamed when he spoke of them. I will always admire Tom. The world is a brighter place because Tom was in it. He will be missed. Your family are my thoughts and prayers.
flo Parmelee says
To Stacie, Mikal and Kara – my thoughts and prayers are you with you. Was out of town and did not know Dad had gone to be with your sweet Mom. I know he is happy being with her and that he will watch over you. I loved your parents and so valued their friendship. I am only a phone call away.