Thomas Ray Lakey

Thomas Ray Lakey, 80, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2021, at Peace Hospice in Great Falls, surrounded by his loving family.

Memorial services will be held Monday, October 18, at 11:00 AM at Whitlash Church. Burial to follow in Whitlash Cemetery.

Tom was born on March 14, 1941 in Chester to Troy and Lucy Lakey. Tom grew up in the Sweet Grass Hills on the family ranch with his parents and sister, Betty. He attended high school in Chester where he "went in the front door and out the back" as he put it. On January 12, 1960 he married his first wife, Mary Morman, in Shelby. From that marriage they had two daughters, Terry Lynn and Juley Ann. In 1969, by the grace of God and the 12 steps of AA, Tom found sobriety. He married his wife of 50 years, Katherine "Kathy" Waite on December 12, 1970, in Whitlash. They had a son and daughter, Thomas Troy and Lynn Ann. Tom continued to pursue his various interests including  becoming an accomplished pilot at the age of thirty-five. Tom had various jobs throughout his life. He drove school bus from Whitlash to Chester from 1968- 1976. Tom bought the Tiber Tractor in 1971. After that he went to work for the Elenburg Manufacturing in Havre, where he supervised the building of the manufacturing plant for the rotary drilling rigs. When the company closed, Tom became the equipment manager for Greytak Farms in Billings. In 1986 Tom bought his first semitruck and started Lakey Trucking. He leased to Transystems and later to Industrial Transfer and Storage until circumstances and health issues forced him to hang up the keys in 1999. He spent the next few years working for his neighbor at AAA Construction. Tom then went to work at PTI, transporting railroad crews across Montana and North Dakota, which allowed him to make the most of his love for driving and chatting with people. Tom retired at the age of 79 due to his health issues. He spent the last few years living with his daughter and son-in-law, Lynn and Dustin, and three of his grandchildren.

In his youth, Tom's interests were ranching, auto mechanics and music, including playing drums in a band. As the years passed, Tom's interests grew into passions and he could be found fixing up an old car, admiring tractors, or attending the rodeo. Tom looked forward to family gatherings, stock car races, and traveling. There was always a chance you could catch him watching John Wayne and Clint Eastwood movies. True to his cowboy roots, Tom always dressed as a gentleman donning his western attire. Tom never met a stranger and could entertain all with his quirky sense of humor and stories. Tom will always be remembered for his unconditional love for his family.

Tom is survived by his wife, Katherine "Kathy" of Great Falls; daughter Terry Stone of California, daughter Juley Lakey of Great Falls, son Tom (Corinna) Lakey of Great Falls, and daughter Lynn (Dustin) Deiter of Great Falls, eleven grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Troy and Lucy Lakey; his siter, Betty Zorn; and his grandson, Troy Vick.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the many health care professionals who contributed to Tom's care and comfort in the last few years of his life, including the amazing staff at Benefits Peace Hospice of Montana. Also, very special thanks to our cousin and Tom's niece, Becky Cunningham for all the support and help through this time.