IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Thomas Andrew
'Tom' Champion
March 24, 1925 – October 18, 2011
Obituary
Thomas Andrew 'Tom' Champion, age 85, passed away October 18, 2011, at his home near Custer, SD.
Thomas A. Champion was born March 24, 1925 in Lansing, MI to Alice (Madden) and Ralph Champion and grew up on farm near Lansing. He joined the army in 1944 during WWII. He served at Normandy, was injured and received the Purple Heart. He was a strong supporter of any organization that honors or supports veterans.
He married Jean D. Glover on April 24, 1946 in Weatherford, TX. Tom and Jean lived in NY state, Oregon and cowboyed in Arizona before moving to the Custer area in 1953. He worked at the Box Factory (an early business in Custer that built wooden boxes) and one of his best memories was working on the construction of Pactola Dam. Later Tom worked for the Forest Service, SD Highway Dept. and the City of Custer. After retirement, he drove school bus then later started the TC Ranch Horsecamp, a campground for travelers with horses. They hosted campers from all over the US and were even featured on RFD TV as one of Tom Seay's Best of America by Horseback destinations. Dad's favorite part was visiting with the campers many of whom came back year after year and some even moved to the area.
Tom was active in the VFW, American Legion, Hermosa Vol. Fire Dept. and supported scouting and baseball through his grandkids. Their home was always a gathering place for all, including STRAYS both 2 and 4 legged.
Tom is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jean, daughter, Cheyenne Conry (Cliff) of Belle Fourche ; son Cody Champion (Peggy) Rapid City. Grandsons Travis Clarke (Tatianna) Oklahoma City, Thomas Roy Champion, Fort Hood, Texas, granddaughter Shannon Champion, Rapid City, grandsons Levi Thomas Conry (Lindsy), Story, WY, Pastor Clay Conry (Miranda) Belle Fourche and 7 great grandchildren, Steven, Magen, David, Braden, Cooper, Calvin and Presley Jo.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 24, 2011, at McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer with Pastor Clay Conry officiating.
A memorial fund has been established in Tom's name at the Telco Federal Credit Union to benefit the Custer VFW Post #3442.
Thomas A. Champion was born March 24, 1925 in Lansing, MI to Alice (Madden) and Ralph Champion and grew up on farm near Lansing. He joined the army in 1944 during WWII. He served at Normandy, was injured and received the Purple Heart. He was a strong supporter of any organization that honors or supports veterans.
He married Jean D. Glover on April 24, 1946 in Weatherford, TX. Tom and Jean lived in NY state, Oregon and cowboyed in Arizona before moving to the Custer area in 1953. He worked at the Box Factory (an early business in Custer that built wooden boxes) and one of his best memories was working on the construction of Pactola Dam. Later Tom worked for the Forest Service, SD Highway Dept. and the City of Custer. After retirement, he drove school bus then later started the TC Ranch Horsecamp, a campground for travelers with horses. They hosted campers from all over the US and were even featured on RFD TV as one of Tom Seay's Best of America by Horseback destinations. Dad's favorite part was visiting with the campers many of whom came back year after year and some even moved to the area.
Tom was active in the VFW, American Legion, Hermosa Vol. Fire Dept. and supported scouting and baseball through his grandkids. Their home was always a gathering place for all, including STRAYS both 2 and 4 legged.
Tom is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jean, daughter, Cheyenne Conry (Cliff) of Belle Fourche ; son Cody Champion (Peggy) Rapid City. Grandsons Travis Clarke (Tatianna) Oklahoma City, Thomas Roy Champion, Fort Hood, Texas, granddaughter Shannon Champion, Rapid City, grandsons Levi Thomas Conry (Lindsy), Story, WY, Pastor Clay Conry (Miranda) Belle Fourche and 7 great grandchildren, Steven, Magen, David, Braden, Cooper, Calvin and Presley Jo.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 24, 2011, at McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer with Pastor Clay Conry officiating.
A memorial fund has been established in Tom's name at the Telco Federal Credit Union to benefit the Custer VFW Post #3442.
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