Thomas Edward Firemoon, age 58, went to be with the Lord on April 5, 2021 in Billings, MT after almost a month-long fight in the hospital. He passed away peacefully surrounded by family.
Our Dad was born on July 18, 1962 in Poplar, MT to Lyle Firemoon and Leta Fourstar Firemoon, the youngest boy of all the siblings. Throughout his childhood, his family lived in many places but eventually settled on the Fort Peck Reservation. During his school years, Dad enjoyed playing basketball and had lots of great stories to tell about when he played. He graduated from Lustre Christian High School in 1980 and was always rooting for the Lustre Lions. He worked at the A&S Industries, amongst other places, before going into the Military. In 1986, he entered the United States Navy, stationed in San Diego, CA serving on the USS Constellation CV 64 (“The Connie”). While aboard the aircraft carrier, he ran the ship’s store, did some cooking, and would run twice a day to train for the Olympics. He did not talk much about his service because he took the Military Oath to heart and now has taken it to his grave. One thing he did tell us was about one of the infamous fires on the aircraft carrier that happened in August 1988 that he fought alongside his shipmates. He spent 3 years in active duty before being honorably discharged and moved to Navy Reserve. Being a Navy veteran was one of his proudest accomplishments.
In 1992, he married Marva Chapman. With this union, Buddy and Sunee were put in his life and he welcomed and raised them as his own. They went on to have Sirr, Justiss, and Presley. Dad’s kids were his pride and joy. He always believed in Buddy, proud of Sunee’s college and military accomplishments, spending all his free time traveling or hanging out with Sirr, supporting all of Justiss’s shenanigans, and doing anything for his favorite (we all knew it) and youngest kid, Presley. Throughout the years together, Dad moved us to many different cities for his jobs. This included Billings, Missoula, San Diego, and Williston. Together our parents were the best team and raised us kids to adults and later divorced. Dad was blessed with four grandkids, Kessee, Keilen, Jacob, and Tristin who he loved as much, if not more, as his kids. He was always willing to help his kids and grandkids and you knew you could count on him when you needed anything. He was so very caring, had the best sense of humor, full of love, and could brighten anyone’s day.
Dad graduated with a 4-year Business Administration degree from University of Montana and was currently in the Master’s Program at UofM for Business Administration at the time of his passing. He was proud of his college experience and wished to eventually get his Doctorate. With his 4-year degree it opened a lot of doors for him but even before his degree he was driven to work. He worked in management and higher-level jobs at many places throughout his life such as Trader’s State Bank in Poplar, Flying J in Billings, a Temp Agency in San Diego, Bookkeeping for School District Offices in San Diego, Williston, and Poplar, Assistant Manager at Walmart in Williston and Miles City, Counselor at Spotted Bull, and other programs of the Fort Peck Tribes.
Some of his enjoyments included drinking tea and coffee, playing cards especially Rummy, or playing board games, his favorite was Scrabble. He loved reading, spending time with his family, tuning into online church services every chance he got, and watching the Lakers games with his son, Sirr. As much as Dad loved watching basketball, he enjoyed coaching as well. He coached teams from ages elementary to college during his life, with the Buffalo Chasers being the last team he coached. There’s not nearly enough room on this page to go on about how great of a Dad, Papa, brother, uncle, son, and person he was. We miss our Dad so much but are happy he is in a better place and take comfort that he is a firm believer in God’s Plan so we must be too. He will forever live in our hearts.
Thomas is survived by his kids, Buddy Smith, Sunee (Keith) Erickson, Sirr Firemoon, Justiss (Talor) Toavs, and Presley (Michael) Sears. His grandkids, Kessee, Keilen, Jacob, and Tristin Thomas. His sisters, Velda (Mike) Stewart, Ingrid (Bruce Bauer) Firemoon, Lyla (Bill) Law, and Joy (Chadd) Reddig. He has many nieces, nephews, and their families that he thought the world of. He loved and was loved by so many here on earth, too numerous to mention.
Amongst the many loved ones welcoming Thomas on the other side will be his parents, Lyle and Leta, his older brothers, Jr, Vincent, and Dawson, his older sister, Melda, and his grandparents.
Dad made sure we knew of everyone important in his life. If we could name and include all his relatives and friends, we certainly would. He loved you all.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” 2 Timothy 4:7
A prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 11, 2021 at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April, 12, 2021 at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.