Cloudy, 30° F
(May 19, 1959 - Jan. 26, 2014)
Thomas Welch Croft died on Jan. 26, 2014, at the Billings Clinic Hospital, in Billings. Tom was 54.
Thomas was born on May 19, 1959, in Lovell, to Edward Marchant Croft and Ora Louise Welch. He was the second child of six children. The family moved around a lot throughout the years because of his dad’s work, and therefore made many friends along the way.
Tom always had a flair for art. He loved to draw, sketch, and in his later years he became quite an artist using crayons. Tom loved to make pottery and did it so well. Tom served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tallahassee, Fla.
Tom had an adventurous spirit. He enjoyed rock climbing, rock hunting, skiing and took advantage of any time he could at the Croft family cabin.
In the summers it was no surprise to watch him ride his mountain bike down the Big Horn Mountain highway. Tom’s kids thought he was invincible.
In 1980 Tom married the love of his life, Vicki Renae Lynam, and they had six wonderful children: Thomas Winfield (Kelly) of Cody, Brook Renae (Keith) Grant of Cody, Morgan Rae Croft of Billings, Madison Louise (Michael) Grandalen of Cowley, Joseph William and Eston Lynam, both of Lovell. Tom and Vicki became grandparents to Sebastian, Annaliese, Brynn, Cohen, Jace, Ashlyn, Kannon, Kayson, Bryton, Carter, Sienna, Halle and Taylor.
Tom graduated from Northwest College in Powell, where he earned an associate’s degree in graphic arts. He had a keen eye for measures and levels and loved to build and create. Tom loved music and enjoyed writing songs with his brothers. He had a strong, beautiful, baritone voice that the whole family enjoyed.
Tom is survived by his parents, Edward Marchant Croft and Louise Welch Croft; brothers Edward Welch Croft, Max Welch Croft, Scott Golden Croft (Kristin); sisters Leisha (Dell) Workman and Kathleen (Bryan) Croft-Jolley; his wife Vicki; his six beautiful children; 13 grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The funeral will be held in Cowley at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31.
Burial will be in the Cowley Cemetery.
Haskell Funeral Home is in charge of the services.
