Tommy Lee Gilmore, 72

Tommy Lee Gilmore was born to Lyman and Hazel Gilmore on March 21, 1945, in Grangeville, Idaho, and died at home in Coeur d’Alene on Oct. 4, 2017.

He attended elementary school in Grangeville. The family moved to Tahoe Ridge near Kooskia, Idaho, where he attended and graduated from Clearwater Valley High School. Tom completed basic training for the Idaho Army National Guard in 1964. He served six years and ended his military career with duty in Vietnam from 1968-69. He completed the Forestry Technician Program at North Idaho College in 1971.

Tom’s professional career spanned more than 50 years, beginning with USDA Forest Service seasonal work on brush crews for the Clearwater National Forest, then campground maintenance and fire control work on the Nezperce National Forest, finally timber management work for the Coeur d’Alene National Forest, one of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Idaho Veneer Company, Post Falls, recognized his value as manager in their timber/lands department for more than 30 years. In his retirement, he continued work as a forestry consultant to private landowners. He was associated with the North Idaho Forestry Association, the Idaho State Scaling Board, Hoo Hoo Club Lumberman’s Fraternity and Post Falls Lions Club.

Tom married Jean Renee Bollman in Coeur d’Alene in 1965. They lived in Kooskia until their move to Coeur d’Alene in 1970. Daughter Teresa Renee was born in Grangeville. Son Wesley Waide was born in Coeur d’Alene. Tom surrendered his life to Jesus Christ shortly after Wesley’s death and attended Bethel Baptist Church, then Real Life Ministries, where he and his wife were active in the church’s Life Group on Mica Flats.

Tom was preceded in death by his son, Wesley; his parents, Lyman and Hazel; and his sister, Joan. He shares with his beloved brother-in-law, Billy Bollman an Oct. 4 date of death. Tom is survived by his wife, Jean of Coeur d’Alene; his daughter, Teresa (Rod) Eldevik of Post Falls; his granddaughter, Karen (Tyler) Richards of Rathdrum; his great-grandson, Brycen James Richards and his brother, Lyman A. (Phyllis) Gilmore of Grangeville.

Tom loved his family, including his grand puppy, Kitty. He loved being outdoors and enjoyed caring for land, trees and animals.

His family appreciates and thanks God for the doctors, nurses and caregivers in Coeur d’Alene and at the Spokane VA where Tom nurtured warm relationships.

Memorial services will be held in the summer of 2018 at the two places he loved most: his home on Mica Flats in Coeur d’Alene and Boles, where Tom spent summers as a youth and hunted for many years.

The family suggests memorial donations to the Wounded Warrior Project.