Thomas Gibbs Haxton, born on March 3rd, 1944. Died on March 2nd, 2014.
Tom grew up on the peninsula of San Francisco Bay, in Millbrae, California. As kids, we had an interesting coming of age, special as the 1950s were for us, a time long gone. We roamed free. Tom was born to Margaret (Redpath) and Charles Gibbs Haxton, the second of three siblings. He had Scot and English blood running through his veins. I fell in love with him before I was fourteen and from here, I tell the story. We courted for seven years beginning in 1959. I was a freshman, he a sophomore, but most importantly, he was the varsity quarterback. I think I remember the game plan as ‘3 yards and a cloud of dust.’ I just knew I had a catch. We married on August 13, 1966, and Tom completed his Bachelor’s Degree in History and Social Science at California State Polytechnic College (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo, Waiting for OCS, he taught school and passed out Goodwill bags, choosing to be paid by the bag not the hour. No flies on him.
Disgusted by post graduate work which included the proper method of writing on a blackboard without turning ones back on the students, he came home one night after being at the “library.” Where he really went was to swear into the ranks of the United States Marine Corps. Officer Candidate School awaited in Quantico, VA. I offered to call the recruiter and explain that I had not been consulted, negating the deal! Oh, so young! It was a pivotal time in our life, much more than we knew. Tom graduated 2nd in his class for physical fitness and was promptly sent to Viet Nam where he served on the Cua Viet River, the officer in charge of a platoon and ten amphibious tanks. Our first son was born two weeks prior to deployment. Our second son arrived 12 months after he returned stateside. Our life was one of raising the boys, moving a lot, and being the best friends ever. We were physically active and met challenges head on. No regrets in a 47 year marriage that included some dark times. We lived in Danville, CA, Salt Lake City, Fair Oaks, CA, Walnut Creek, CA, Corralitos, CA, Helena, and Clancy.
When the boys were 15 and 13, Tom mapped out a high Sierra backpack trip of 50 miles, ending at the bottom of Mt. Whitney. Neophytes, there were always tears at the end of the day. Just Mom and Zach, never Tom or Kelly. Biggest, fondest memory. So happy to have climbed so many peaks with Tom. We plowed on for years and years until cancer struck both of us a year apart. Our last climb was Lima Peak with a full moon shining over the saddle. It was then we decided to give up heavy packs and consider truck camping! It was 2010. We admitted suffering the vicissitudes of aging, and we were sick together.
Tom spent two summers in Libby fighting forest fires in 1962 and 1963. In those days there was no “let it burn” policy. They put out every spark and when it was quiet, they broke trail. He fell in love with Montana and always wanted to return. He wanted to teach in California and spend summers in Libby. Really? He hated the blackboard! Luckily it never happened. He spent his life as a manufacturer’s rep. He drove and flew all over creation. A new territory opened in 1993 and no one wanted it. Tom couldn’t get here fast enough. We built our dream home in the hills of Clancy and had a no limit policy on adopting dogs. Cats were another story. I was limited to eight. I always pushed the limit and there are still eight banging around our home. One rescue slated for placing elsewhere, because that put us at nine, he named “Gibbs.” HA! What was he thinking? They slept together until Tom’s last week.
Ultimately, Tom succumbed to adenocarcinoma of the lung and beyond. A non-small cell cancer, linked to Agent Orange exposure. He always made it clear he never smoked. He fought this cancer for two and a half years with the help of Dr. Tom Weiner. Thank you, Doc. He appreciated every minute you helped him get.
Tom was courageous, had a strong work ethic, never broke a rule. He was quietly a devout Christian. He died with thousands of books in his head. He managed to get to a day short of 70 without ever changing a light bulb.
Tom and I lost our son, Zachary Gibbs Haxton in 2004 in Helena. Tom will be buried next to him at Forestvale Cemetery.
Tom is survived by his wife, Judie; his son who adored him, Kelly; his daughter in law who saw him as her dad, Shelly; and the lights of our life, our two grandchildren, Alexander Kelly Haxton and Audrey Evelyn Haxton. Also his sisters, Janet Phillips and Laurie Rubino and his brother John Haxton.
Goodbye Papa, sleep well. I’ll sleep with you and Zach soon.
Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday, March 6, 2014 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 7, 2014 at the funeral home. Burial with military honors follow the funeral service at Forestvale Cemetery. The family then invites you to please join them at a reception in the social center of the funeral home immediately following the burial. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cancer Treatment Center of St. Peter’s
Hospital, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Tom.
Service Schedule
Visitation
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday March 6, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Hoe
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday March 7, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Immediately following the funeral service
Friday March 7, 2014
Forestvale Cemetery
Forestvale Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Immediately following the burial
Friday March 7, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Visitation
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday March 6, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Hoe
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday March 7, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Immediately following the funeral service
Friday March 7, 2014
Forestvale Cemetery
Forestvale Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Immediately following the burial
Friday March 7, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
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Garry and Debbe Pistoria says
Dear Judie and Family,
We are profoundly sorry for the loss of your beloved Tom. We were honored to have met Tom and enjoyed his wonderful views on life. Now Tom’s health has been restored and he is relaxing and enjoying all that heaven has to offer. I still remember the last time we saw him, Tom never complained and just handled his illness with dignity and grace.
Our prayers go out to you and your family. May Tom now rest in peace!
Garry and Debbe Pistoria
Bob and Joan Colores says
Dear Judie, Kelley, Shelley, Alex and Audrey,
We are so very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Tom was dearly loved and will be missed. May he rest in peace.
God bless from a fellow Viet Nam Veteran. Semper Fi. dear cousin.
Duane Wright says
Dear Judie, I am so sorry to hear of Toms passing. After getting your email I went up to see him and was told that he was not in the hospital so I was fearful of what I was going to hear. Tom a really great person and I am happy to have known him for these last several years. I always looked forward to talking to him at the health club. Please know, that you and your family are in my prayers. Duane Wright
Ed Scott says
Dear Judie, so sorry to hear of your loss, our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. I had the true pleasure of meeting Tom when the two of you moved to Clancy. I am honored to have been witness to Toms happy go lucky, outdoorsey, able to enjoy life, personalty. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to share the joys of life in general to the sorrows of each losing a son with someone as honorable and sincere as Tom Haxton. Rest in pain free peace dear Tom. Judie, remember that Tom is now truly pain free and with Zach in a much better place.
Ed and Floy Scott
Mary Wilkinson says
Dear Judie, Kelly, Shelly, Alex and Audrey,
We are so very sorry to hear of the loss of Tom. Our hearts go out to you, and our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love you all, very much.
Our Deepest Sympathy,
Uncle Bill and Aunt Mary
Darrell Miller says
Judie and family,
My condolences in the loss of Tom. Tom was a truly humble and caring person with with a very positive outlook. Several years ago Tom told me he finally retired and was not sure what he would do to keep busy. I suggested that he consider volunteering at a program called Eagle Mount to help with the equine therapy program for people with disabilities. Tom spent many hours in his quiet, caring and understanding way making a difference in these peoples lives. This is the kind of man he was and It is an honor to have known Tom. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Darrell Miller
Carol Bridge says
Judie and family, God Bless you all! What a delight you both are and always will be. It was truly an honor to help you and Tom out in the Cancer Treatment Center, the pillows and apply juice will always be a memory for me. Both of you are an inspiration to me and I am truly grateful to have met you both. Carol Bridge, Volunteer CTC
Kathie Raunig says
Judie: Ah, Tom would have very much liked what you wrote about your life together. No BS , just the facts of how he lived and the man he was. For sure one of the good guys.
Kathie
Aaron Cooley says
I only knew Tom for a span of about 10 years, but he will forever be in my memories. A great, honorable man with a sharp sense of humor and fiery passion for anything he believed in. I’m sad for the family members left behind, but we all know that Tom is reveling in the glory of Christ right now.
God bless you all,
Aaron
Brooke Oniki says
Dear Judie,
I have been so sad for you and your sweet family this week. How I love all of you. I loved watching you and Tom grandparent Alex and Audrey. You were just so present in their lives. You spent so much time in Salt Lake…lots of time together and so much love. I already told Shelly this, but I loved watching Tom walk down the street past our house to see the diggers and bulldozers across the street at Sugar House Park. Sometimes he would take Connor too and they would all walk over to get a closer look. He was such a gentle grandpa. You have been such loving, supportive parents. It was fun for me to watch your relationship with Shelly and Kelly. You are just such good people. I feel blessed to know you both and I am so grateful for the influence you have been in the life of our family. I pray that you will feel the Savior’s love during your time of greatest sorrow. I know He can heal our broken hearts.
Brooke Oniki
Laura McArdle says
Look at that handsome dude in the picture! Tom was always a handsome dude and such a kind man. I met him professionally twenty years ago and luckily was able to see him occasionally when we worked at animal clinics. It was difficult to see him struggle, but he sure put on his happy face in public. And he was happy; he loved life. You had a good man there, Judie. My prayers go out to you and your family.
Franklin Ruona says
Dear Judie,
I was sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. I was at a Burlingame HS Boy’s Basketball Game last night with Bill Forst, Charlie Tomacci, John Sarles and Bob Turner and I was told of Tom’s passing. Pete Harames, at age 68, is coaching the Burlingame team and we have been reliving our Capuchino HS days when we meet to watch his games. Tom was always a hero to me as an superb athlete at Capuchino HS. I hope that your son and you are doing as well as possible given the circumstances. Tom will be in our prayers.
Frank
Randy Post says
What a great life. I was a receiver on Tom’s football team at Cap. He was a great leader and I can fondly remember his confident, take-charge style of leadership. The Marines made good use of that, I am sure. I never saw him after high school, but from the obit it seems he never let go by an opportunity to make the most of his life. My thoughts are with the family and everyone he touched, who all will miss him.
Randy Post Capuchino ’61
Joyce (Thomas) Murphy says
Judie,
I don’t think we ever met, but I was a song leader at Cap while Tom was QB. He gave us many exciting moments to dance around and cheer! I always ought he was such a nice person (not to mention incredibly handsome). I am sorry for your loss.
Bill James says
Tom and I climbed M t Whitney together in 1960. We formed a life long bond at that peak. He was my quarterback at Capuchino HS. We celebrated wins and great times together. I will always remember Tom as a leader, friend and confidant. We were Hi Y brothers and bonded for ever. I am very sad today and morn his departure. But I know heaven has a new quarterback and a true winner!.
Ray Lacy says
Tom was a person you liked as soon as you meet him. I remember Tom in High School as a person you could always talk to. I’m sorry for your lost, I know he is in a better place now with out his illness. Ray Lacy Cap 62
Vivian Steinborn says
In the. 90s I knew Shelly and Kelly when they
Lived in Las Cruces, NM. Today I’m in Greensboro
NC and the furniture mart is going on. I started
Thinking about them and wondering if Kelly
was in NC and what if I walked past him would
I recognized him and wouldn’t it be great to say
Hi! At that point I looked them up on line and
ran across this beautifully written, but surprising
Obituary. David and I are so sorry for your loss.
Although, we never met I felt I knew you because
of Shelly and Kelly. I remember your move to Montana. How fortunate that you met your
lifetime mate early in your life and you had such
a wonderful long life together. We wish you only good memories. David and Vivian Steinborn