Warren “Tom” Gleason made his peaceful journey to Eternity on October 12, 2016; after a long illness brought on by an accident in July 2013. In the last three years of his life, Tom fought ‘the good fight’. He endured so much and continued to battle to the end. Tom was 83 years old at his final passing from this life to the loving presence of his Savior.
Tom was born on June 29, 1933, in Great Falls, MT, to Warren & Lillian Gleason. His grandmother, Etta Smith, and great aunt, Bertha Annis, played key roles in helping raise and care for Tom and his cousin, Ray Bauer, when they were young men growing up in Great Falls.
Tom graduated from Great Falls High School and later attended Montana State University in Bozeman.
In 1951 Tom met the love of his life, Shirley Fayden, at ‘Roundup Day’ in Great Falls. They dated for three years and were married on May 28, 1955. They were blessed throughout their life with six children and two grandchildren.
Tom was employed by the City of Great Falls as a City Engineer. In 1973, the family relocated to Helena and Tom made a career working for the State of Montana. He worked for the Highway Department as a Bureau Chief in the Equal Opportunity Department, and later retired from PERS.
Tom loved traveling. He and Shirley were able to enjoy many years of travel and adventures after he retired at the young age of 51. They traveled to many countries with the most memorable being Ireland, Israel, and a missionary trip to Africa. He spent most of his life sharing his love of Jesus to help others encounter God’s love and mercies in their lives with everyone/anyone who would listen. This was a very important part of who he was.
Tom was an avid college football fan. On Saturdays you could find him in front of the TV, eating his sunflower seeds, and rooting for ‘The Irish’. He loved classic cars, playing cards, boogie boarding in the ocean, and singing along with his favorite tunes if an opportunity arose. He was an outgoing and loving person with a good sense of humor, quick wit, and a knack for storytelling.
Our family is so grateful to God for such a wonderful, loyal, caring, and faithful husband, father, and grandfather. He was the “glue” that made our family one. He has left us, but we will be forever reminded of how much he touched us all.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Shirley Gleason; children Tyler (Barb) Gleason of Great Falls, Keerie (Wayne) Garbarino of Missoula; Angela (Rex) Renk of Helena; grandchildren Natalie & Mitchell Renk of Helena; and cousin, Ray (Dee) Bauer of West Glacier.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Warren & Lillian Gleason; grandmother, Etta Smith; great aunt, Bertha Annis; father and mother in-law, Catherine & Bill Fayden; sons, Bradley, Jay, & Sean Paddy, and Marc Knudsen.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to all of the wonderful people who helped care for Tom through this journey, especially Rocky Mountain Hospice and Renaissance Senior Care that provided Tom with loving and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Tom’s name to Rocky Mountain Hospice of Helena. Cremation has taken place, and the family will have a private service/burial at a later date.
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Tonna Strasko says
Shirley, Keerie, and Family, our prayers and thoughts are with all of you. God bless.
Tonna and Joe Strasko
Jim Moses II
Sandy Bradford says
Shirley and family,
Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” What wonderful consolation it is knowing a loved one has gone home for Eternity. May the God of all comfort be your constant companion and comfort.
With special caring,
Sandy Bradford
Ruthie Hill says
Shirley, Keerie, Wayne, and Family
My heart goes out to you all. My thoughts are with you. What a blessing it was every time Tom would come to services with us. I have said in the past and it still holds true if any of you need anything please let me know. I will be praying your feel Jesus holding you in your time of need.
Blessings
Ruthie Hill
Ed and Sharon Tregidga says
Shirley, Keerie and family, we are thinking and praying for your now as you grieve the passing of Tom. What wonderful news to know that he is enjoying the presence of his Savior and the pain is gone. May you be comforted by our great God and know that Tom lives with you in memories of the time you shared on this earth. He was an amazing man! We love you. Sharon and Ed Tregidga
John & Cherie Dahl says
We first met Tom & Shirley and their children at Family Church Camp at Camp Marshall near Polson in 1975. We immediately became friends and shared many memories the next 40 years. RIP Tom and we’ll see you in Heaven one of these years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Shirley and the rest of the family! John & Cherie Dahl
terry lopez says
It was my pleasure to call this man and his family a friend. We spent many Shabbats together and enjoyed many visits. I wish love and peace to the family. He was a great man. Terry Lopez and Mavrick Drivdahl
Jean Fayden says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Uncle Tom was such a great guy and so glad we went and saw him. May all your wonderful memories make this journey a little easier.
Love and hugs to you all.
David and Jean Fayden and Family
Steve Barry says
Tom was a regular at our regular 4th Day Prayer Group on Thursday mornings for a number of years. His love for our Lord and sharing his journey of faith with those gathered around this breakfast table was a gift for all of us. May the Lord bless all his family with strength and peace and may you find joy in the stories you shared with Tom on his earthly journey.
Deacon Steve Barry
Randall Fraser says
Our prayers are with you, Shirley and all the family. We will miss our games of “Rage”and ” Mexican Train”. Remember Tom’s term, “you are in Tiajuana” when your score was below zero? Also remember Tom inadvertently running over a pedestrians’s foot in downtown San Diego (he was not. Injured) and we hurried to get the affair settled before the policeman walking down the street got to us. Good times and good memories! Randy & Mary Fraser
Kelly LaFountaine says
Shirley and Family, my heart is with you. I am so lucky to have been able to spend the time I did with Tom. I value the friendship we had. I will miss his laugh and smiles.
Camie Smith says
Shirley, Angela and family
I am so sorry for your loss. Please take care and our thoughts and prayers to you call.
Calvin Schneckloth says
Tom and Shirley were our neighbors for many years, and we always enjoyed visiting with them about their trips and amazing stories. You would always see him outside taking care of his home and property and it always look immaculate. You will be missed very much.
Scott, Julie, Calvin, Shelby, Megan Schneckloth
David Pidcock says
Shirley & Family,
I don’t know if you remember me or not, but this is a name from out of the past. Many times over the past 30 years or so I often would think about Tom and how he was doing. I rarely get to Helena or I definitely would have stopped to visit. Tom and I worked about 5-6 Cursillos together – in fact he was on the Cursillo staff when I first made mine. I was always impressed with Tom, and we loved to laugh together. A great man and very good friend when he was in Great Falls. He definitely was a gift from God.
I send my love & prayers, and and a reminder that you were married to one fantastic man.
God bless Shirley,
Dave Pidcock
Great Falls
Jeannie Lake says
Shirley, Angela and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss of such a great husband, father, and grandfather. Even though I never met him, your stories about him and what a great person he was will always be remembered. Thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Jeannie Lake
Carolyn Truscott says
Shirley, so sorry to hear Tom has passed. I will miss his dynamic presence and his sharing of the love of Jesus. I count it a true blessing to have known him early in my rededicated walk with the Lord as well as your encouragement alongside him. I pray Holy Spirit’s comfort enfold you and encourage you, my sister in Christ. Carolyn Truscott