Thomas Finnicum

Thomas Robert Finnicum (who knew he was in big trouble if his wife, Carol, called him by all three names) was born in Sidney, Montana on April 8, 1949 to Thomas Russell and Thelma Arlene Finnicum. He grew up as a farm kid in small-town America where life with five siblings and 37 cousins revolved around stacking hay, dodging rattlesnakes, riding horses through green pastures in the moonlight, sledding in the winters, and having cow pie fights with the city cousins. Tom started his education in a one-room schoolhouse in Mona, and grew up in a family where love, laughter, and lyrics were of prime importance. While the family would regularly get together to sing harmonies, there were also community spaces where the whole town converged – bringing babies asleep in a guitar case or dresser drawer – and played tunes, sang, and danced together far into the night. Growing up learning how to repair just about anything – you kinda had to back then – Tom bought a '56 Mercury Special Edition (in the unique color of Statutory Grape) and honed his mechanical abilities on that car when he wasn't barreling over the hills in it. But he did slow down long enough to notice a certain someone in his younger sister's class. When he confessed to his sister that he had his eye on that fiery red-headed girl, his sister encouraged him to pursue Carol Johnson, who became the love of his life. The two were married in 1975, and had two daughters, Jessi and Jodi. As the girls grew, Tom worked at the Cenex Refinery, and the couple raised their daughters in Joliet. If there were splurges on the girls, it was always around art and music. They both felt these pursuits were good for the family and good for the soul. Tom loved raucous rock and roll, country, and bluegrass, and he taught himself to play the guitar, fiddle, banjo, and a hand-built mandolin. Jodi and Jessi loved music too, but during high school their interests gravitated towards grunge and punk music, and they each formed bands. So Tom set up a recording studio for the girls and their friends in the basement. And on weekends you'd often see Tom and Carol hauling amplifiers and generators to the local park so the kids could play. It was a joyous time. A Renaissance man with so many other interests, Tom also excelled at tying flies and woodworking; he built cabinets, furniture, and dollhouses; restored and repaired vehicles; was savvy with computers and electronics; served in the National Guard for six years; and of course, continued with his musical education. Friends called him “one hell of a fiddler,” and he could bring a whole roomful of people to their feet with his version of The Orange Blossom Special. Befriending and often mentoring other musicians, Tom was part of several bluegrass groups that met and played together. On many enchanted summer evenings, you might find Tom and his musical band of brothers playing at campsites along the banks of the Yellowstone River. As the night wore on and adult beverages flowed, the songs just might have veered into the occasional realm of raunchy, punctuated with joy and laughter. Tom was one of those compassionate, kind-hearted, loyal, and loving people who never knew a stranger – he just enjoyed people and sharing things and knowledge. If your car broke down on the side of the road, he'd be there helping you. If you'd met him at the local Ace Hardware, he'd be assisting you with a project. Or, he might teach you how to string a guitar or repair a water pump, if that's what you needed. He'd do it with sparkling eyes, and a mischievous sense of humor that just made everything more fun. Grounded in humor, humanity, and humility, Tom Finnicum was an example of the best a person could be. Tom died on June 9, and is survived by his wife of 46 years, Carol; daughters Jodi Finnicum and Jessi (Eric) Schwartz; grandson Corbin Schwartz and granddaughter Lana Schwartz. There was no greater love and pride in his life than his family. He is also survived by sisters Joy Johnson, Joanie (Mark) Oelke, and Laurie (Pat) Wilson; brother Brady (Ladonna) Finnicum; sister-in-law Sue (Barney) Orand; brother-in-law, Don Johnson; and approximately five million cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, stepfather Whitey Marchwick, and sister Marie Johnson. Tom's last act of kindness, caring, and generosity was donating his corneas so two eyes would be able to see their family and friends again. He was not able to see his girls or grandkids as he'd planned to do in June, but this final gift of his will allow others to do so. A celebration of his life will take place with family members at a later date