Thomas Edmund Vopat, 84

Thomas Edmund Vopat, 84, of Hayden, Idaho, passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 6, 2020, surrounded by his family.

Tom was born in Spearfish, S.D., to Earl and Pearl Vopat. He moved to Grangeville, Idaho, when he was 7 years old. He graduated from Grangeville High School, where he participated in basketball, baseball, football and ran track. He attended the University of Idaho, where he played basketball and baseball. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in industrial arts and went on to get his master’s degree in administration.

He spent two years teaching in Arlington, Ore., and moved back to Kamiah, Idaho, where he taught junior high, coached baseball and taught swimming. He later went on to become the principal and superintendent of the Kamiah School District. Then he moved to Boise and spent five years with the State Department of Education as director of school finance.

While in Boise, he enjoyed traveling the state and meeting with the people in various school districts. Later, he transferred to Coeur d’Alene as a business manager for Coeur d’Alene School District 271. He retired from the Coeur d’Alene School District in 1992.

Tom enjoyed many outdoor activities. Some of his favorites were fly fishing, camping and golfing. His lunch hours were spent with Joe Roope Sr., tying flies for Castaway Fly Shop. His winters were spent in his woodshop doing any kind of wood project — from making furniture to turning something on the lathe. Most importantly, he loved spending time with his family.

Tom is survived by his wife, Gayle, of 29 years; brother, Jim and Kathleen Vopat; two children and three stepdaughters: Ken Vopat, Sue (Eric) Burgeson, Wendy Thorn, Heather (Eric) Rude and Robyn (Jamey) Aker; plus 13 grandchildren: Tyler (Kelsey) Vopat, Lisa (Ed) Maki, Aidan and Colin Burgeson, Britani and Mason Thorn, Logan and Nathan Rude, Nickolas, Megan (Zach) Griffin, Benjamin (Abbie), Thomas (Savannah), and Lydia Aker; and eight great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by both his parents; his sister, Betty, and grandson, Ethen Aker. The family is holding a very casual open house from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020, at Yates Funeral Home, 373 E. Hayden Ave., Hayden, Idaho.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Spokane.

“OLD GUYS RULE!”