Thomas Edward Booth Sr., 92 years old, of Helena, MT, passed away peacefully on 12/9/2024 at Roosevelt, Utah. Born on March 24th, 1932 in East Rainelle, West Virginia. Thomas Booth was a beloved husband, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather & great-great grandfather who touched the lives of everyone he met.
He is survived by his wife Fern Booth, his children and their spouses Barbara & Mike Crozier, Curt & Sherry Booth, Patricia & John Collier, Thomas Booth, Kenneth & Cherie Booth, Tina & Steve Kopp, Laurie Barrie, and Mike & Mary Booth. He is survived by his sister Francis Booth Staubs, his 31 grandchildren, 85 great grandchildren and 15 great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Jimmy Booth, his siblings Genieva Booth Banik, Jenevie Booth, Frank Booth, May Booth Weaver and by his parents Ernest Ellsworth Booth and Madelin Mclntire.
Thomas Booth Sr. was known for being a very loving husband, a devoted loving father, a loving & fun grandfather, great grandfather & great-great grandfather. His family feels blessed and fortunate to have had him in their lives. His loving influence impacted the lives of all of his family members. He had a great love for the outdoors and enjoyed sharing that with his loved ones. He was a generous man and helped those in need. He had a great sense of humor and loved to tease his loved ones and friends. He made friends everywhere he went and positively impacted their lives in one way or another.
Thomas Booth Sr. served 2 tours in Vietnam, in 1965-1966 and 1969-70, with 101st Airborne. While in Vietnam he was baptized in the South China Sea and sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple. During his second tour, Master Sergeant Thomas E. Booth Sr. distinguished himself by his exceptionally meritorious service in connection with military operations at the age of 37, while being a father of nine, he garnered a coveted Bronze Star. Master Sergeant Thomas E. Booth Sr.’s professional competence, unfailing loyalty, exceptional devotion to duty and outstanding achievements were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflected so in great credit upon himself, his organization and the United States Army spending a total of 46 years in the armed forces military – 24 Years Active Duty and 22 Years in the Reserves. He lived on four continents, deep-sea fished in the Gulf of Mexico, and hiked the mountains and fished the rivers and lakes of places like West Virginia, Panama, Germany, Utah, Alaska, and Montana. While surviving combat duty he was exposed to Agent Orange, experienced several motorcycle wrecks, was struck by lightning, and a had near-drowning off of Louisianna’s Pontchartrain Beach. He had numerous broken bones, two back surgeries and one open heart surgeries. In his own words he described his life as “I’ve had a very interesting and full life and have been very blessed. But the best part was when I married the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met – Fern Ockey.”
A funeral service will be held on 12/17/2024 at 11:00am at the LDS Church, located at 4225 Bobcat Drive, Helena, MT. Viewing Services at 10:30am.
“In our hearts, you will always stay, loved and remembered every day. Your legacy lives on in the love and values you instilled in us.”
Service Schedule
Viewing
10:30 a.m. to 11:00 am
Tuesday December 17, 2024
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
4225 Bobcat Drive
Helena, MT 59602
Funeral Service
11:00am to 12:00 pm
Tuesday December 17, 2024
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
4225 Bobcat Drive
Helena, MT 59602
Burial
12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
Tuesday December 17, 2024
Montana State Veteran's Cemetery- Fort Harrison
3550 Heroes Rd
Fort Harrison , MT 59636
Reception
Following the burial
Tuesday December 17, 2024
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
4225 Bobcat Drive
Helena, MT 59602
Service Schedule
Viewing
10:30 a.m. to 11:00 am
Tuesday December 17, 2024
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
4225 Bobcat Drive
Helena, MT 59602
Funeral Service
11:00am to 12:00 pm
Tuesday December 17, 2024
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
4225 Bobcat Drive
Helena, MT 59602
Burial
12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
Tuesday December 17, 2024
Montana State Veteran's Cemetery- Fort Harrison
3550 Heroes Rd
Fort Harrison , MT 59636
Reception
Following the burial
Tuesday December 17, 2024
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
4225 Bobcat Drive
Helena, MT 59602
Share
Bob Chalman says
I didn’t get to know Uncle Tommy as well as I would have liked, but he was the kind of man I always aspired to be. He will be sorely missed. Love and prayers to the family. May God grant you the strength to accept his will.
Yvonne Mitchell says
I only met my Uncle Tommy one time when I was 2 years old.
Would have been wonderful to have known him and spent time with him.
Prayers for all the family
Michelle Drake says
Oh my heart is sad just like many others. What an amazing family he has and the love is great. His legacy will live on because he raised his kids right. Prayers to all and love always to uncle Tommy. I pray he and my dad and grandma Ockey are together now.
Benjamin Fowler says
Dear Fern and Both Family,
I’m so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. He was a good man, kind, warm, and very funny. I enjoyed all my interactions with him. Wishing you peace and comfort during this time.
Best Wishes Always,
Ben Fowler and Family
Deb Wakeland says
Fern and family, my heart goes out to you during this time. I will miss Tom and all the military chats we had. He was such a sweet humble man and always asked how my daughter likes the military also checking to see how she’s doing. He seemed just as proud of her as I am and enjoyed swapping those military stories. Your family is in my prayers. Tom, you’ll be greatly missed.
Andre Graa says
Being Kenny’s friend got me to meet Tom first in 1980. He made me feel like we where old friends and so welcome. That feeling never changed as we occasionally met fishing, hunting etc. It was clear that he loved his family and cared about hid fellow man. I will cherish the memories I was fortunate to experience with Tom, as there are few men in the world that can make people feel the way he did. God bless the Booth family!
Mark Bates says
So sorry to hear of Tom’s passing.He was good friend and neighbor. I will miss sharing our tales with each other.
Wally Melcher says
My deepest and condolences and love to Fern and all of Tom’s family. He was a wonderful friend, hunting and fishing partner and example to me. His dedication to his family and his country was a huge inspiration to me and many others. Until we meet again my brother I will always cherish the memories we made.
Carolyn Peterson (Williams) Harding says
What memories I have of both Tom and Fern while finishing high school and living in Helena. Such good people and friends, especially with my parents, Roy & Donna Peterson. Tom would help my dad with many of his projects, and Fern dressed my mom at her passing since we girls knew nothing about it. We loved driving to their house on top of the “mountain.” Saying “so long for now” is a tender, tender feeling.
Cathy Curtis says
I am so sorry to hear Uncle Tom passed. He always new how to make us laugh. I wish I could have known him better. Our love and prayers are with all of you all.
FRANCES Staubs says
As the youngest of six children and raised in the system, Tommy and I had a very special brother/sister unbreakable bond. When Tommy and I were very young, Tommy was very mischievous and I was his favorite victim. But, he always protected me! After he married Fern, I called her his special Angel. Tommy protected his wife and their children. He went on to protect our country. He was a real hero in every sense of the word! My family loved Tommy.
My husband and Tommy were like brothers. The world lost a great hero and Heaven has gained one! Tommy will ALWAYS live in my heart!
teresa oveson says
I am so saddened by this. Uncle Tom was such a wonderful. Funny, and loving man. I wish I could be there with you all but due to resent surgery I’m unable. Prayers and love sent your way Aunt Fern and family I love you all so much.
Carol Bridge says
Tom and Fern were my neighbors. What a blessing they were. So friendly and compassionate. We will never forget them. God Bless Tom. He will live forever in our hearts.
Teri (Staubs) Heil says
I will never forget one of the best persons that I have ever known. Uncle Tommy was a man of integrity, vision, strength, courage, and had a wicked sense of humor. His life left a positive impact on all who knew him. Although Uncle Tommy had an enormous family, he had the wonderful ability to make friends feel like family. I wish that I could be there today to help comfort Aunt Fern and my many cousins, but also to join in the celebration of his life well lived.
Love, prayers, and peace