Thomas Thode

Thomas G. Thode, 64, of Great Falls, Montana, succumbed to a life-long battle with depression, an all too often terminal illness, on Friday, March 16, 2012 at his home.Friends are invited to gather for a celebration of Toms life on Thursday, March 22, 2012 beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, 4201 Giant Springs Road, Great Falls, MT. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Friends and family will miss his wonderful sense of humor and his willingness to help anyoneany time.After retiring as an accountant from Cascade County, Tom was a welcome face to many of the clients of Meals on Wheels, RSVP and most recently the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center.Tom was born on December 5, 1947 to George O. Thode and Leota (Luetkens) Thode in Milwaukee, WI.He graduated from the University of Wisconsin, and later studied accounting at MSU in Bozeman, MT where he met the love of his life, JoAnn Wright.Tom and JoAnn married on August 2, 1980 and spent the next 31 years sharing their liveshiking, camping, and traveling.One of Toms favorite pastimes was fishingand weather was no object!Ice fishing was just as enjoyable as a sunny summer day for Tom.Tom served in the United States Air Force, completing two tours of duty in Vietnam, which left an indelible mark on his character.Survivors include his wife, JoAnn Wright of Great Falls and their rescued pup, Nikki; sisters, Barbara J. Thode of Falls Church, VA and Sharon Thode of Marietta, GA; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, George in 1995 and Leota in December 2008.Also preceding him in death were his faithful pupsAmber, Katie, and Annie.Memorial gifts are suggested to Intermountain Childrens Home, 500 South Lamborn Street, Helena, MT 59601.Condolences may be left for the family at www.schniderfuneralhome.com.