Thomas Joseph Tracey, 80

Thomas Joseph Tracey Jr., 80, of Bigfork, passed away on Nov. 29, 2025, surrounded by family and loved ones.

He was born in Pleasanton, California on Feb. 17, 1945, to Thomas Tracey Sr. and Jewel Dunlap. 

Thomas, known widely as Tom, graduated from Live Oak High School, Morgan Hill, California, in 1963, where he was a member of the Varsity Football, Basketball, and Track teams. Following high school, Tom graduated from California State University, Fresno with a Bachelor and Master of Science.

He joined the US Army in 1967 and served as a morse code intercept in Hokkaido, Japan, until honorably discharged in 1973 at the rank of Private. Tom received the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal for his work for the US Army.

Tom married Diana Jo Pumphrey, of Morgan Hill, California, in 1965 until 1977. This union produced Curtis Joseph Tracey (1967) and Kimberly Diane Tracey (1973).

Tom later married the love of his life, Linda Bishop (known as Lindy), in an intimate hand-fasting mountaintop ceremony in 2008, in Montana. Tom and Lindy spent many happy years in Flathead County until Lindy's death on May 14, 2022.

Following Tom's time in the military, he worked as a probation officer in Sacramento, California, and with the US Department of Justice, until he found his true calling as a healer. Tom spent many years following his passion, learning about native herbs, their healing properties, and mastering the art of combining different herbs to create remedies to heal the body, mind and soul.

Tom successfully owned and operated Swan Valley Herbs, now located in downtown Bigfork since 1984, until his death. Tom and his wife, Lindy, later wrote, illustrated, and published the "Forest Farmacy," to help educate people on herbs and their healing properties.

He will be remembered for his zest for life and for the immense amount of love in his heart for his family, friends and community. Tom was loved and admired by anyone he met and could often be found wildcrafting in Montana's wilderness, cooling off in the Swan River, or enjoying a cocktail with buddies at the VFW in Bigfork.

Tom is survived by his siblings, Dan Tracey and wife Nora of Reno, Nevada, Sharlene Tracey of Nevada, and Karen Howard and husband Robert Howard of Atascadero, California; children, Curtis Tracey of Wichita, Kansas, Kimberly Childers and husband Grandle Childers of Wichita, and Danielle Couture and husband Casey Couture of Polson; grandchildren, Brandon Smith and husband Josh Smith of Houston, Texas, Bailey Hill and husband Braden Hill of Wichita, Breanna Tracey of Borehamwood, England, Levi Couture of Polson, Logan Tracey of Wichita, Mackenzie Couture of Polson, Linzie Couture of Polson, Ryley Couture of Polson and Cade Carpenter-Tracey of Valley Center, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Tracey Sr. and Jewel Dunlap, and his wife, Lindy Tracey.

A memorial service will be held in the summer; details to follow.