Thomas Lee Leonard passed away on September 24th after a 2-year battle with interstitial lung disease. Born in Billings on February 12th, 1946, to Joe and Edna Mae Leonard, Tom was a Montanan thru and thru enjoying all outdoor activities, hunting, and water sports, but he was also a man of the world. As a child he lived in Roundup, Lewistown, Libya (N. Africa), and White Sulphur Springs where he spent his high school years.
Attending college before and after two tours of duty in Vietnam with the Navy, he graduated from MSU with a degree in zoology. He worked several summers as a firefighter for the Forest Service while in college, and later pursued a career at Helena Job Service, first as an interviewer and later a program manager, retiring in 2000. This career fit perfectly with his innate desire to help others and satisfied his social side! Tom was also a skilled picture framer doing this as a part-time business of out his home for over 20 years.
Tom established friendships everywhere he worked, lived, and traveled. He never met a stranger, seeing only the good and value in everyone. He felt that his endless sense of curiosity was developed as a child living in different cultures, which drove his love of travel later in life. Tom was a man of diverse interests, knowledgeable in photography, geology, forestry, ornithology, plants, and wildlife. Hiking with Tom was never just about getting to the destination; he would give you the scientific names of flowers and birds before telling you it was a ‘daisy’ or a ‘bluebird’. On his many road trips, he would act as a tour guide pointing out interesting local facts and advising what geological era formed a mountain. However, he wasn’t just a nature buff and was frequently called upon by friends and family to help with new features or issues with electronic devices. As a talented techie always up to date on his knowledge, he could educate people decades his junior.
Tom’s photos and travel adventures were shared for the enjoyment of others on Montanica, Instagram, and Facebook. Life took him to interesting places, including his 4 years as a child in Libya, time in Vietnam, adventures in all 50 states, Canada, and Italy, and he was thoughtful in the photo documentation of his travels. Following Tom on social media or looking thru his photo albums was a way to travel without leaving home.
Much more than all of this, Tom was a kind and friendly soul who could visit with anyone he met on any topic of interest to them and make his conversation companion feel seen and heard. While he did not have children of his own, he was a loving, unofficial ‘uncle’ to the children of close friends, attending games and important events whenever possible. He kept up with local and world news; could readily recite an entertaining limerick to the laughter of friends and family; spoke enough to get by in Arabic, Spanish, and Italian; was a wine connoisseur; a skilled photographer; and most importantly a caring and well-loved man of character. You were very lucky if you could call him your friend.
He was married to Kathy Rae Leonard and Karlene Keffer Ford Leonard in his earlier years and married Shirley Singer Rush in 1999. Their life was full of love, laughter, friends, family and travel throughout the US, Canada, and Italy.
Tom was predeceased by his parents Joe and Edna Mae, sister Mary Elizabeth, and brother Michael James. He is survived by Shirley Rush, stepson Greg Rush, and daughter-in-law Brittani Hissom.
Tom received excellent care throughout his illness at every step of his journey, both at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena and the Huntsman Institute in Salt Lake City. We are forever grateful for the excellent care and kindness he and Shirley received. Thank you to these angels!
A memorial service will be held at a later date and memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.
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Theresia LeSueur says
So sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. He was a wonderful person and jolly.
Rebekka Dodge says
I did not realize Tom was suffering. I have never never friended anyone on facebook – I always wait to be asked. But Tom was the one person I requested to be my friend. He always posted beautiful sunsets and interesting pictures. I always looked forward to visits with Tom and Shirley at their lake house. Tom was a wonderful – and most interesting – person. My heartfelt condolences to Shirley. Tom will be truly missed in my book.
Rebekka Dodge
Steve Hall says
I was fortunate enough to meet Tom through the USFS as a wild land fire fighter and spent a number of seasons in that employ. Tom and I were roommates in the Indian Flats Guard Station, or Fantail Cabin as it was known to us. We were Fantail Crew, an initial attack fire team.
Tom had such a love for the out of doors and always pointed out small lives of nature….the Water Ouzel….or the brachiopods, cephlapods and horned coral that were plentiful under the feet of the mountain goats of Hogback Mountain, where we kept Mac and Donna Macintyre in supplies and study the terrain for new “smokes”.
Losing contact from time to time over the years never interrupted our friendship, as renewing said friendship was as easy as breathing or gazing across the beautiful landscapes.
I’m sad to hear of his passing. Until we meet again my friend…the world has lost a beautiful soul…our loss, heavens gain…
Patti Russ says
Shirley, I was saddened to hear of Tom’s passing. I was one of his Job Service buddies. He was so fun to work with, always positive and uplifting. He will be missed. Prayers for you and your family.
Patti and Tom Russ
Carol Eichler says
Tom will surely be missed by so many. We always enjoyed our camping trips a bit more when Tom and Shirley went with us. I remember many silly moments, long talks and jokes around the campfire. Following Tom on Facebook was always an adventure. His photos were breathtaking and so much fun to admire and wonder how he captured a certain animal or the beauty of a plant. His passion came through in his photos and in life.
Shirley we are thinking of you and prayers to you for peace and healing.
Carol Eichler
Doris copenhaver says
Oh Tom what a shock this morning to read you are no longer with us. I had no idea you were having problems. I enjoyed your photos on Facebook and Instagram as your work was incredibly beautiful. I have the gorgeous evening scene of the Helena Valley that I asked if I could print and you agreed. I gave one to a dear friend and I noticed last night it was on her refrigerator as is mine. I will think of you fondly as I love your photographs and think of the many times I ran into you at alive at 5 and we joked. Blessings good man and prayers for your family. You will be missed.
Tim Tilton says
Shirley,
Ann and I were so saddened to hear this news. We loved being neighbors with you and Tom, and so appreciated your and Tom’s patience with all of us and our crazy dog Sage back in the day. I remember taking Tom floating on the Dearborn and always enjoyed his wonderful photography. Also, I wanted to mention that the obituary is so well written and captures Tom ’s spirit so beautifully.
Peace to you,
The Tilton’s
Tim, Ann, Scotty and Alana
Dianne (Barber) Page says
Shirley, I am so saddened to read about Tom’s death. It was always good to run into him and have a good visit with my “cousin”. His photography was always stunning and I will miss all the photos he shared on facebook. My love and condolences to you and all who loved Tom, A good man gone too soon,
Michael Lee says
Hello Tom Leonard Family and Friends
In the fall of 1970, I walked into my first class (EMC Billings) after coming home from Vietnam. This was Carol Saunder’s Psychology Class. This was an excellent class. Petrified, I visually searched for vacant seats and focused on a seat next to a longhair – he had longer hair than I did and looked about my age, older than 18. Into this class of a hundred or more I went and sat down next to Tom. We struck a friendship within minutes, and established our in-common Vietnam veteran origins. For the balance of this school year, Tom and I celebrated being home. Tom had a red convertible and we had a hell of a good time. Decades later after we’d toned down our partying and when we unexpectedly met in Helena, we shared looks that meant “no words need be spoken.†Tom was a good person. We should all be proud of Tom’s life work and his service. Peace to Tom and his family. Michael Lee
Michael Lee says
Hello Tom Leonard Family
In the fall of 1970, I walked into my first class (EMC Billings) after coming home from Vietnam. This was Carol Saunder’s Psychology Class. This was an excellent class. Petrified, I visually searched for vacant seats and focused on a seat next to a longhair – he had longer hair than I did and looked about my age, older. Into this class of a hundred or more I went and sat down next to Tom. We struck a friendship within minutes, and established our in-common Vietnam veteran origins. For the balance of this school year, Tom and I celebrated being home. Tom had a red convertible and we had a hell of a good time. Decades later after we’d toned down our partying and when we unexpectedly met in Helena, we shared looks that meant “no words need be spoken.†Tom was a good person. We should all be proud of Tom’s life work and his service. Peace to Tom and his family. Michael Lee
Karen Feldner says
Sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. He was always friendly and upbeat when we saw him. We’re thinking of you. Take care. Tim &Karen Feldner
Wendy Keating says
Shirley, the little green sign on the left says “share a memory”, but that is hardly possible having known Tom for so long and sharing enduring friendship with both of you, even knowing you each, separately, before you were a couple. You were certainly one of the most compatible people I’ve ever known. So, my memories are numerous…from the adventures and camaraderie of the years in Job Service to his rescuing me during a snowstorm when I was moving home and then storing my stuff in your garage forever, to the times at your cabin and those at mine (especially the grizzly visit to the deck) to the animal-spotting rides we had in the Park, and the many times Pat and you and Tom and I sat and talked, sharing wine and memories of other days. Tom was so strong in character and consistent and trustworthy. And an exceptional friend. I will miss him as will the many whose paths he crossed. . I pray for your comfort and peace, my friend.