Tom Barranger, 79, passed away May 22, 2022, surrounded by his son, daughter and wife of 50 years.
Tom was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on June 1, 1942 to Thomas L. Barranger II and Virginia (Biser) Barranger. He moved to Roundup, Montana, at the age of 15, when his father was appointed as priest of the Episcopal church. His senior year of high school, his family moved to Whitefish where his father became the priest of All Saints’ Episcopal Church.
Tom attended high school in Roundup from 1958 to 1959 and graduated from Whitefish High School in 1960. He went to Montana State University before attending X-ray and lab school in Minneapolis. He worked at the hospital in Red Lodge but, when Tom’s father died in 1962, Tom returned to Whitefish to take care of his mom and three siblings and began working for Burlington Northern Railroad. He worked there until his retirement in 2002. Tom also served in the National Guard from 1960 to 1963.
Tom met and married the love of his life, Gail DeGolier, in 1971. His daughter, Brynn, was born in 1979 and his son, Kyle, in 1981. He spent countless hours shooting baskets, playing catch and sitting in the stands watching his kids play sports. Tom enjoyed hiking and fly fishing with friends and family. His most remembered and regaled hikes were in the Jewel Basin. Tom was a lifelong baseball fan and he passed down his love of the sport to his kids. Some of his family’s favorite memories are vacations to watch baseball. In the past two years he traveled to Denver with Kyle’s family and to Arizona with Brynn’s family to enjoy baseball games. He knew endless baseball trivia, especially about his beloved Baltimore Orioles. Tom enjoyed traveling. He especially liked warm weather and beaches and traveled to Hawaii, the Bahamas and Mexico.
Tom’s favorite place was his home on Flathead Lake. He took pride in caring for the property and always had a project going on. He also enjoyed watching the birds at the birdfeeders, deer walking on the lawn and just taking in the view. Tom was not one to just sit and relax, until it was 4 p.m. At 4:00, he would sit in his chair at the shore and crack open an IPA. He would then grab his fishing pole and head to the end of the dock.
Although Tom was a quiet, humble observer, he never met a stranger. He would talk to people in line at the grocery store, Uber drivers, store clerks and he never forgot a person’s story. He would help anyone in need, and even at his sickest was worrying about taking care of others.
Tom’s greatest joys in life were his two grandsons, Bronson (13) and Brooks (7 months). He never missed one of Bronson’s plays, concerts or sporting events and he was especially happy that Bronson loved the lake so much. Tom was overjoyed when Brooks was born in November, 2021. His smile and giggles brought happiness to Tom’s last days.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Gail Barranger, daughter, Brynn Willcut (Johnny), son, Kyle Barranger (Regan), grandsons, Bronson Thomas Willcut and Brooks Thomas Barranger; brothers, Mark Barranger and Jay Barranger (Heather); and sister, Lois Andersen; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
A celebration of Tom’s life will be held on July 22 at 11 a.m. at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 2048 Conn Road, Columbia Falls, MT. Following the celebration there will be a luncheon in the reception hall of the church. Everyone is encouraged to wear black and orange, in honor of Tom’s love for the Baltimore Orioles.
To honor Tom’s kind and caring spirit, please show an act of kindness towards a neighbor.
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