Thomas Aaron Selstad, Jr.

Thomas Aaron Selstad, Jr. passed away on Sunday, June 16, 2024, at his home in Great Falls, MT at the age of 97. A visitation will take place on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Schnider Funeral Home in Great Falls, MT. A graveside service will take place on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Highland Cemetery in Great Falls, MT. The memorial service is on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Great Falls, MT with a reception following at 2:30 p.m. at the Meadowlark Country Club.

Tom was born in Great Falls, MT on March 8, 1927, to Thomas Selstad Sr. and Asne, “Esther” (Amot) Selstad. Tom’s parents immigrated to the United States from Norway and homesteaded in the Dutton area where they met, married, and started their family. Tom Jr. was the second youngest of six siblings, Joseph, Reuben, William, Alice, and Marie.

Tom grew up on the family farm in the Dutton area. The homestead was without indoor facilities. In the fall, the family would travel to California to work through the winter. Tom’s father and older brothers worked in the shipyards, and Tom attended grade school. Years later, Tom recounted with no great exception how when he was 12, he, his mother, and sister Marie, drove from Dutton, MT to Pasadena, CA ahead of the rest of the family to find a place to stay through the winter. His father and older brothers stayed behind to finish the harvest and joined them in California later that fall.

Eventually the family quit traveling to California during the winters and took up residence in Great Falls where Tom attended Great Falls High School, graduating in 1945. Upon graduation Tom entered boot camp, and along with many of his classmates, was prepared for the invasion of Japan. Fortunately, the war ended before the invasion was implemented. Years later, one of Tom’s classmates, Dr. Bob Dean, observed that the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki probably saved Bob and Tom’s lives along with countless other young men.

After the war, Tom attended and graduated from the University of Montana. He then attended the University of Washington for post graduate work.

While attending college in Missoula, Tom met and began dating Elnore Smith. They married June 1, 1950. Upon finishing his post graduate work in Washington, Tom took a job in Libby, MT teaching high school science and math classes and coaching football and basketball. He later took a job teaching and coaching in Fairfield, MT and led the Fairfield Eagles basketball team to their first ever Class B State Championship.

Tom was active in athletics throughout his entire life. At Great Falls High School, he participated in football, basketball, and track. In college he played football and basketball for the Montana Grizzlies, lettering 4 times in basketball and three times in football. Tom played city league basketball and softball in his twenties and thirties. Later in life he took up running and tennis, participating in races and tournaments all over the country. He proudly displayed the gold, silver, and bronze tennis balls he won in USTA National tournaments. Tom stayed physically active his entire adult life.

In 1954, Tom started Selstad Soil Service, a business specializing in the new field of Agriculture Chemicals. In 1968, Tom started Selstad’s Sod Farm, the first sod farm in Montana. In 1984, he started Selstad’s LawnRanger Spray Service, which provides residential and commercial lawn care. Tom also invested in real estate and had numerous rental properties through the years.

Tom and Elnore raised three sons, Scott, Spencer, and Sherman. Tom enjoyed following and supporting them in their endeavors growing up. He spent hours throwing balls, shooting baskets, and driving across the state to their numerous sports events.

Tom was very active in Montana politics during the sixties and seventies. He was elected and served terms in the Montana State Legislature as well as elected and served 1 term in the Montana State Senate. In 1968, Tom was the Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor, and in 1972, he was a primary candidate for the Republican candidate for Governor.

Tom met Joyce Thomas, and she became a very special companion for many years. They traveled together all over the world. They spent their winters in Green Valley, AZ and their summers in Great Falls. They were a very special couple.

Throughout his 97-year life, Tom met and became friends with thousands of people. He truly liked people and people liked him. It was impossible to go anywhere with him and not run into someone he knew. Many a family dinner or outing was paused while Tom spoke with an acquaintance or someone he had just met.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Selstad Sr., and Asne “Esther,” (Amot) Selstad; brothers, Joseph, Reuben, and William; sisters, Alice Price and Marie (Lowell) Anderson; and his wife, Elnore Selstad.

He is survived by his three sons, Scott (Janice) Selstad, Spencer (Pamm) Selstad, and Sherman (Rhonda) Selstad; grandchildren, Samantha Lohner, Cam Dean, Amanda Selstad, Shelby Arruda, Adam Selstad, Miche Jarvey, Amber Fuhringer, Megan Selstad, Ethan Selstad, and James Varga; great-grandchildren; and special companion, Joyce Thomas.