Thomas C. "Tom" Blake, 73, passed away just after midnight surrounded by his loved ones on Saturday, September 19th, 2026. Born in Missoula, Montana to Leroy and Nellie (Fristo) Blake on January 20th, 1953, he was the youngest of eight children.

From a young age, Tom had a quick wit and a wonderful sense of humor. He filled his life with a love for the outdoors-hunting, fishing, huckleberry picking and gardening to name a few. He was a natural-born carpenter with a love for building.

Tom was an incredibly generous soul, freely giving away his time, his skills and his favorite things to others. He understood and valued what was most important, such as time spent with others and caring for the people around him.

Being the youngest of his family, all of Tom's older siblings were tasked with keeping an eye on him, which in their concept meant keeping him secure in the backyard. However, they underestimated the adventurous side of Tommy, and could never figure out how he managed to keep escaping the locked fence. (His neighborhood friend "Scooter" was the key.)

In grade school, at Franklin Elementary, he was a boy scout. He proved himself to be hard working, and earned himself a place on the Upward Bound program, for promising youth. By the time he graduated, he had been a member of the basketball team-playing center position, involved in the thespian club, and so liked by his classmates he was elected student body president of Hellgate High School, class of 1971.

He attended a year of college studying geology at the University of Montana, before joining the U.S. Navy as a member of the Seabees ranks. He learned construction as part of his training, and from there he was stationed for 18 months in Rota, Spain between 1977 and 1978, where he helped build the barracks of the U.S. Navy base.

After returning to Montana he resumed college on the GI Bill for his service, and continued his studies. Meanwhile he began work at the Champion Mill in Bonner, Montana and in his spare time built a cabin with his good friend Terry Schoen near Seeley Lake.

After completing a shift at the mill, Tom met the love of his life at a mutual friend's house. He proposed to Tracy, his future wife, after ten days of dating her. Though he would have to wait a little longer before she said 'yes'.

After their marriage on May 26th, 1984, they bought a piece of land in Missoula, Montana and began construction on their forever home together. They were still building that home when their first daughter was born, followed four years later by the second. As a father, Tom was devoted to his children, watching movies with them, cooking their favorite foods for them, taking them out in nature, and often making up his own parts when reading them stories.

He transitioned his career to the U.S. Postal Service as a letter carrier which became his chosen career for the remaining 25 years of his working life. He served the broadway letter route for most of his career and when questioned by coworkers how he was so fast, he quick-wittedly replied, "I'm Batman." He retired in 2019, keeping himself busy with his many hobbies, traveling and continued work on his beloved home of 41 years.

He is survived by his wife, Tracy (Kron) Blake; eldest daughter Chelsea Blake and spouse Trevor Marks; and youngest daughter Nicole Blake and spouse Dominic (Peterson) Blake. As well as his siblings Barbara (Blake) Michaud, Jack Blake and brother-in-law Kim Kron, including his many cousins and extended family in Missoula and surrounding areas.

He was very well-loved and had friends across many aspects of life. Including friends from long ago, and friends he made up through the last years of his life. Known and respected by many individuals of the Missoula community, in his later years he was deeply involved with his church family at Zootown Church, where he graciously volunteered his time. Tom never needed much to be happy, he found meaning in the people he loved and the life he built. Of all the things he cherished, he cherished his family the most.

He will be remembered most as a wonderful husband and father of his two girls, lovingly called by the three women in his life, "Dad-man."

Instead of flowers the family has requested donations be made to the Humane Society of Western Montana in remembrance of Tom's love of nature and respect for animals. 

The family plans a celebration of Tom's life at a future date.