Jerome Thomas, 93, of Camp Tuffit, Lake Mary Ronan, passed away on Christmas evening, Dec. 25, 2007, surrounded by his family.

Jerome was born on March 22, 1914, at the family home in the Proctor Valley to Charlie and Edith Thomas. He was the youngest of four children. The family moved to Lake Mary Ronan when Jerome was 4 years old. They established and operated a family-run fishing resort, Camp Tuffit, that his father had started in 1917. He graduated salutatorian from Flathead County High School in Kalispell.

Jerome and his dad continued to run the resort together until he was called to service in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Upon returning from the military, Jerome continued to help in the operation of Camp Tuffit and also established a Christmas tree business.

Jerome met and married Ruth Sines after meeting her during her family's visit to Camp Tuffit. They had three children, Gary, Mark and Jeanne.

Camp Tuffit has continued to run as a family business, being passed on from Charlie to Jerome and on to sons Gary and Mark. In later years, Jerome was known for planting all of the beautiful flowers around the resort and loved to spend hours in his greenhouse. He loved watching the birds and feeding the squirrels. Jerome never stopped working at "Camp" and always was doing something to help out up until just a few years ago.

Jerome was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Marie Cederstrom and Jennie Eichmann.

Jerome is survived by Ruth, his wife of 70 years; a sister, Helen Hall, of Boise, Idaho; sons, Gary and Carol, and Mark and Dianne of Camp Tuffit; and daughter, Jeanne Maas, and Lynn of Los Alamos, N.M. He is also survived by eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

The family suggests that memorial gifts may be given in Jerome's name to the Polson City Library.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, at Grogan Funeral Home with Rev. John Payne officiating. Interment will follow at Lakeview Cemetery. A reception will follow the services at St. Joseph Retirement Center in Polson. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com.