Thomas Anderson

On Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, Thomas Keith Anderson, age 81, went home to be with the Lord. After 81 years of hard work and dedication to life, Tom went to be with his savior after he finished chores one last time.

A celebration for the life of Tom will be held at the Malta Assembly of God Church on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m. followed by a luncheon for friends and family to attend.

Tom has been laid to rest at home on the Bar Triangle Ranch.

Tom was born in Scobey, Mont., on Dec. 30, 1942, to his parents, Oscar and Vera Anderson, and was the sixth of seven children. The family lived at and farmed the Sunnyside Ranch in the Four Buttes and Larslan area. Over the years the family traveled and lived in several places while Tom was growing up eventually settling in Malta, Mont., for a time where he met the love of his life, Loretta Young, before moving to Lewistown, Mont., where he finished high school in 1962. After high school Tom attended and completed a school for auto body work.

After six years of dating, Tom and Loretta were married on Jan. 12, 1964, at the Assembly of God church in Malta. Early in their marriage, Tom worked at an auto body shop in Chinook, Mont., before the couple moved back to Phillips County. There, Tom took a position at the Chevy dealership before they settled on the family's Bar Triangle Ranch along the Milk River, east of Malta. Together, Tom and Loretta devoted themselves to farming and ranching full-time.

To their marriage, five beautiful children were born, Matthew Shane, Vinee Dawn, Thomas Daren, Crystal Laurene and James Jared Cole Anderson. Throughout their 60 years of marriage, Tom and Loretta experienced many things, but life on the ranch was what brought him the most joy. Tom was always willing to lend a helping hand, enjoyed a sweet treat or a cup of coffee, and no Sunday afternoon was complete without a quick catnap before heading out to start evening chores. He was a pillar of strength and faith to his family, instilling in them a strong belief in the Lord. Tom took great pride and joy in his children and grandchildren, and he and Loretta were always nearby to support them. Whether in the stands or on the sidelines, they were their family's biggest fans. Tom dedicated many years to teaching, coaching, and cheering on his loved ones through boxing matches, 4H projects, baseball, rodeos, basketball games, and countless other activities. Over the years, his dedication to his family and life on the ranch was unwavering; he was always eager to know, "What's the plan today?" and had a little project ready for anyone who needed one. Tom lived his life with a strong faith in God, knowing that each day required hard work and patience. He taught us many lessons about life that we will carry on in his memory.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents Oscar and Vera Anderson; brothers Jim Hinton, William Anderson and Lorn Anderson; sister Mae Haymes; and nephews Lynn Hinton and Skagg Anderson.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years and high school sweetheart Loretta Young Anderson and all five of his children, Shane Anderson, of Malta, Daren (Danette) Anderson, of Malta, Vinee (Lindsey) Carlier, of Malta, Crystal (Omar) Lett, of Malta, and Jared (Bethany) Anderson, of Billings, Mont .; sisters Iris Pehan and Dora Larson; along with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Condolences and cards can be sent to the family at PO Box 375 in Malta MT 59538.