Thomas Edward Lorang

Thomas Edward Lorang passed away on December 14, 2021. Despite his short stature, Tom was bigger than life. People describe Tom as kind-hearted with an infectious smile. He thrived on making others laugh and was known for his quick wit and incessant teasing, a sign of his affection for anyone on the receiving end. Whether he was pretending to be the Incredible Hulk for his nieces and nephews, dressing up in old plaid bellbottoms to meet his daughter’s date, or re-arranging Christmas decorations on a friend’s lawn, he was constantly causing people to shake their heads and laugh. He had a brilliant mind and vast knowledge. If you were around him long enough, you would surely hear one of his history lessons or learn about some random fact. His mind and body were in constant motion. Tom was born on June 19, 1947, in Great Falls, Montana to Edward and Dorothy Lorang. He was the oldest of four, and the only boy. His father relied on him to help with the farm and ranch, where he drove tractors and cared for the cattle. Tom would tell you that he was the smartest kid in his class, but he would not disclose that he was the only kid in his class at McCumber School, a one room schoolhouse. He attended Great Falls Central for high school where he met many lasting friends who continue to be an important part of his life to this day. Tom left to get his math and engineering degrees in the combo program where he spent three years at Carroll College and the final two at Montana State in Bozeman. He thrived on adventure, so it was no surprise that he was on the boxing team at Carroll and rode bulls for the rodeo team at Montana State. He met the love of his life at Carroll. One snowy day, Carol Carr was walking to class when she slipped and fell on the ice. Tom just happened to be there to gather her books and help her up, likely giving her that million-dollar smile. Carol was embarrassed and quickly ran off to class. But the handsome stranger left a lasting impression. She later asked him to the Sadie Hawkins Dance, and the rest is history. They were married on June 21, 1969, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Helena and have enjoyed 52 years together. During his final year in college, Tom decided to pursue his dream of joining the Air Force to become a pilot after graduation. Unfortunately, he failed his eye exam when he learned he was color blind, a trait he passed down to three of his grandsons. It finally made sense to those around him why he dressed in such strange color combinations! He instead took an engineering job with Texaco Oil Company in Anacortes, Washington. Tom became a father in 1971 when his son Doug was born. Tom was meant to be a dad, and he relished the time spent with his kids. He was always guiding and teaching his children, showing them the ropes in life. Doug would follow Tom everywhere, helping him fix things around the house. His daughter Diana was born in 1973, and she immediately had her dad wrapped around her finger. Tom always felt an obligation to his family, and when his dad called and asked if he could help with the ranch, Tom moved his family back to Montana and became a farmer and rancher in Eden. Tom designed and built the family home, completing it in just over four years in 1981. Fitting of his personality, he proudly wore a shirt that read “It takes a stud to build a house.” He had two more children, Craig in 1981 and Kristen in 1983. The family of six was complete, and they were constantly on the go with all kinds of sporting events and 4-H activities. Craig is so much like Tom and followed in his footsteps of becoming a referee and engineer. Kristen was the baby of the family and the apple of Tom’s eye. The Catholic faith was an important part of his life, and he attended church regularly. He was part of the parishes at Our Lady of Lourdes and Holy Spirit in Great Falls, and you would often see him reading or helping with usher duties. Tom was actively involved in the community and volunteered on several boards. His longest role was 21 years on the Centerville School Board. He was passionate about quality education and worked tirelessly to support the educators, school, and students. Whenever they needed him, Tom drove buses of kids to speech and debate meets, class trips, and sporting events, always with a smile on his face and several jokes in his back pocket. He also served on the Montana State Fair Board, the Cascade County Planning Board, and the Eden Hall Board. If you have ever stepped onto a basketball court or football field in the state of Montana, you probably ran into Tom. He spent 37 years officiating high school and college football, as well as high school basketball. He was the white hat referee in the Frontier Conference for 20 years. He thrived on being surrounded by young athletes and would constantly banter with them on and off the field. The entire stadium would get a few laughs whenever he left his microphone on. But Tom was more than just an official. He was a master of the game and the biggest supporter of both high school athletics and Montana officials. He truly wanted to make the program better, and he dedicated hours to educate, train, and recruit officials. He spent three years on a national committee to establish rules for high school football across the country. He served as a Regional Director for the Montana High School Officials Association for 20 years where he oversaw all the training and scheduling for his region’s officials. He had the honor of officiating many Shrine Games, All-Star Games, and high school and NAIA playoff and championship games. After refereeing one last time with Craig at the 2011 Class B All-Star Game, he officially retired. His officiating crews were like family to him, and they shared countless stories while traveling thousands of miles together over the years. In 2021 with his family and his referee family to support him, Tom was inducted into the Montana Officials Association Hall of Fame for his lifetime achievements. He was incredibly touched and honored, and he will forever be remembered in Montana sports history. Tom’s engineering mind never left him, and he had a passion for woodworking as well as restoring old vehicles and tractors. He never wanted Carol to find out how much he paid for a heap of old metal, but he would find a way to surprise everyone and restore it back to its original beauty. In his spare time between all the officiating, volunteering, restoring, and kids’ activities, he worked at his real job of managing the ranch. To say that he was busy is an understatement, but he would not want it any other way. In 2003 he stepped into the most important role of his life when he became a grandpa for the first time to grandson Logan. He is “Papa” to six grandsons and one granddaughter. They are all the center of his universe. His childlike energy and excitement shine through whenever he is around them. He bought a series of dirt bikes and made sure they all knew how to ride. He restored John Deere pedal tractors for each of them, engraining in them the importance of green and yellow. He taught them about the ranch and would spoil them with late-night dishes of ice cream. He cheered them on at countless football, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, and cross-country events, not to mention all the concerts and school functions. He was in the final stages of finishing the last pedal tractor, a custom bright pink model for his only granddaughter Isla and was planning to help his grandson Ethan build a cornhole set. Grandson Duncan had just visited the ranch six weeks ago where he had the time of his life shooting his first deer, and Papa was so proud. Tom truly lived life to the fullest. Some might say that he lived the life of many. He never let a moment pass without taking full advantage of every opportunity. He bought a Harley Davidson motorcycle and made a few trips to Sturgis, and he celebrated his 50th birthday by jumping out of an airplane for his first of several skydiving adventures. He would do anything for his friends and family. Whether it was helping a neighbor work cows, meeting friends for a beer at the American or Centerville Bar after a “dump run,” taking a trip to New York with a friend’s wife, haying with the help of a good friend, making friendly wagers on the Cat/Griz game, or dropping everything to help someone in need, he truly enjoyed time spent with his good friends. Tom was taken way too soon at the age of 74. He suffered a massive stroke that damaged his physical capabilities, but his mind was still stronger than ever. He was making jokes and telling stories up until he could not speak anymore. He passed away in Missoula on December 14, 20221, surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Dorothy Lorang. He leaves behind his wife, Carol Carr Lorang; son, Doug Lorang, daughter Diana (Bob) Pailthorpe, son, Craig (Allie) Lorang, daughter Kristen (Beau) Johnson; grandkids, Logan Pailthorpe, Nate Pailthorpe, Ethan Lorang, Duncan Lorang, Drew Lorang, Evan Johnson, and Isla Lorang; and sisters, Bonnie Lorang, Pat Lorang, and Kathie Lorang. We will celebrate Tom’s extraordinary life at a vigil service on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 201 44th Street South in Great Falls. You are welcome to share stories of your memories with Tom. The funeral is Wednesday, December 22, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at the same location. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tom’s name to the Eden Community Hall or Holy Spirit Catholic School. Donations can be brought to the service, or you can email forevertom47@gmail.com for more information.