Thomas Blaine Startin

Thomas Blaine Startin, 71, of Missoula, MT, passed away at home peacefully from natural causes on Saturday, November 8, 2025.

Thomas, or Thom, but also known to many as Tom Anderson or just “Tommy” (and affectionately as “Da” to his children), was born on October 23, 1954, in Missoula’s St Patrick Hospital to Roberta (“Bobbie”) and Blaine Startin. He was a proud generational Montanan whose ancestors arrived in Missoula in 1864 by river boat and ox team, and took up a homestead near the old town of “Hell Gate.”

As a little boy, Thom’s nickname was “Buttons” (because he was just so darned cute). His mother remarried when Thom was quite young, and Thom became a member of the Anderson family. Life was not easy for Thom at some stages, and he depended greatly on his grandparents, Dorothy and Tom Tabish, particularly when he was little. It was his grandmother who inspired Thom to become a teacher, and his grandfather who taught him to camp, hunt, and fish; together they gave him his love of the outdoors. They took him on regular trips to the West Coast, giving him a love for travel.

Thom attended school at – quite literally – every public elementary school in Missoula (at the time) because of frequent moves before his mother remarried. Thom was raised in Catholicism, however, so when it was time for him to enter high school, his grandparents made it financially possible for him to attend Loyola Sacred Heart High School. It was at LSH that Thom really blossomed, thanks largely to a very tight-knit group of friends and fellow students in the very small graduating Class of 1974, to which he belonged. Many of them remained close friends, to this day. Tommy participated in football and boxing as a child and continued playing football throughout high school with one of his best friends, Bernie. It was at LSH that he discovered his love of acting. Thom was proud of his success there; in 1974 he and his drama partner brought home LSH’s first Class A State Championship in Drama, as a “Serious Duo” team. They went on to perform the entire production of “Of Mice and Men” (with Thom portraying Lennie) for the Missoula community, on stage at the University of Montana’s auditorium, and leaving the audience in tears. Later in life Thom had several walk-on parts that made the final cut in the well-known movie, “A River Runs Through It.”

Thom enlisted in the US Army in 1973, not waiting to be drafted. He was old enough to complete Basic Training as a Trainee during the summer between his Junior and Senior years of high school; within days of graduating high school in 1974 he was shipped off to Fort Ord for further training. Thom earned Marksman (Rifle), Outstanding Performance of Duty, and other commendations, and the National Defense Service Medal. After serving active duty in Vietnam, which gravely affected his gentle soul, he left the military with an Honorable Discharge.

Thom was a devoted husband to his wife Alexandra, known by family and friends as “Zandy.” Thom and Zandy met early in life, realizing over time that their paths had already crossed often. They formally met in the Fall of 1974 (Zandy was 14, Thom 19) but because of the age difference they didn’t begin to date until June of 1978. They were married December 15, 1979, in Lichfield, England, at the Church of St Chad which dates to the 12th century. Thom’s interest and expertise in British History and being able to have Zandy’s family present (all of whom warmly welcomed Thom into the family) made this particularly meaningful to the couple.

Although Thom’s desire to be a teacher became a reality in 1987 when he graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in Education (emphases History and Psychology), he never taught full-time. His desire to be a father was stronger, and he chose to support Zandy in her professional endeavors while caring for their family. Being a father had become a reality with the birth of their two children, Taylor and Sam, in the early 1980’s, both of whom he was extremely proud of. He took great joy in caring for them from the moment they were born – morning, noon, and night. He created so many treasured memories with his family, from his fabulous meals, to camping and fishing, to having fun sledding – often on snow hills he built for them in the Montana winters – and so much more. Thom was deeply committed to his family, and his legacy lives on through his beloved children and three grandchildren (Emerson, Zoey, and Nolan). His love extended to the many dogs and cats who were considered part of the family. Dogs were his constant companions through most of his life; they shared in his joy and were a great source of comfort in times of sorrow.

Thom had many hobbies and interests, which he pursued further as his children became more independent. He began substitute teaching, which he greatly enjoyed (especially History and “Home Economics,” as it used to be called). But cycling was a life-long activity that started in early childhood, then became his primary means of transportation, and later included participating in the MS150 (a 150-mile benefit ride for multiple sclerosis that turned into 160 miles because of detours) and riding over the Big Belt Mountains with another life-long best friend, Lee. Later in life he took up beekeeping and producing honey. He was able to travel to Uganda, England, and Europe several times during the last several years of his life (usually with his wife, once she retired), which brought much joy to his life.

Thom never stopped caring about children or wanting to make a difference in the world through education; had he not married and started a family he may well have become a Jesuit volunteer because of the impact they had on his own life and education. In spite of suffering from a traumatic brain injury caused by a motor vehicle accident in 2001, in 2017 he began volunteering at Bright Hope, an orphanage school in Uganda where he had a huge impact, and encouraged Zandy to help him form the “Startin Rise and Shine Education Foundation,” which enabled them to donate and help raise funds to finish building and financially support Craig Infant and Junior School in Uganda.

Thom is preceded in death by his grandparents, Dorothy and Tom Tabish; his mother, Roberta “Bobbie” (Hayes) Anderson; his father, Blaine K Startin; and his brothers, Kevin and Scotty Anderson, and Blaine Startin Jr.

Survivors include his wife, Alexandra “Zandy” K. (Shafizadeh) Startin, Missoula; his children, Taylor B. Startin, Kalispell, and Sam A. (Startin) Wolf, Missoula; his grandchildren, Emerson, Zoey, and Nolan, Kalispell; and his sisters, Kimberly A. Anderson, Albuquerque, NM, and Trudi (Startin) Eastlick, Billings, MT.

There will be a funeral service at St Francis Xavier church in Missoula, MT, on Tuesday, November 25th, at 11 am, with Father C. Hightower, SJ, officiating. Thom’s wish was to be cremated; there will be no burial at this time.

He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.