With the sun shining brightly on the Bull Mountains, a place dear to his heart, Thomas G. Carey, Sr. (Tom) passed into eternal life on February 26, 2022, surrounded by his loving wife of 63 years and all of their children.
Born in Helena on December 9, 1928 to Frank and Mary Ellen (Gallagher) Carey, he was the youngest of 12 children. Being raised on the ranch with his best friend and sister Ellie was the basis for the stories of his wonderful childhood we loved to hear. His love for dogs followed him through his entire life. He attended grade school in Cardwell and graduated from Whitehall High School, then attended two winter sessions at the Butte Business College.
Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952, he spent time in Korea in an artillery unit north of the 38th parallel. He was honorably discharged in 1954 after the peace treaty was signed. He returned to the family ranch in the Boulder Valley to join his father and brothers in the operation, which had been converted from sheep to cattle. This is where he would spend the remainder of his life and raise his own family.
