Thomas "Tom" Francis Earhart

Thomas “Tom” Francis Earhart

Thomas “Tom” Francis Earhart, age 81, passed away at his home on November 8, 2025.

Tom was born in Anaconda on October 14, 1944, to Don and Jeannette (DuMonthier) Earhart. He attended Catholic schools, though he seemed to recall far more stories about his youthful shenanigans than his parochial lessons.

After graduation and a brief stint as a meatcutter, Tom enlisted in the Air Force with his brother and partner in crime, Bob.

When it became clear that two Earharts in the same unit were a bit too much, they were separated, and Tom was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. Before moving north, he married his high school sweetheart, Mariann Swanson. Though Tom and Mariann later divorced, they were blessed with three beautiful children, Brad, Shannon, and Brandi. Following his discharge, Tom returned to Anaconda to work at Buttrey’s Supermarket.

Not long afterward, he and Mariann packed up Brad and Shannon and moved to Reno, Nevada, where he continued working as a meatcutter. While they enjoyed their time in Reno, they soon realized that Anaconda was home, returning to Montana in June of 1973. Once back, Tom and Mariann bought Don’s Market, a small neighborhood grocery where Tom quickly became the familiar face behind the counter. During this time, he also worked at the Galen Sewage Plant. Their family grew again in the spring of 1974 with the arrival of their daughter Brandi.

When Tom recognized that corner grocery stores were becoming a thing of the past, he sold the store and began a new chapter as a telephone technician for the Montana Power Company. His work took him across the state installing some of the nation’s first automated phone systems.

Tom retired from Montana Power at the young age of 58, opening the door to the next adventure. He earned his pilot’s license, bought a plane and a Gold Wing, and spent countless hours in the sky or on the open road. Even after he eventually chose to part with the plane and motorcycle, he remained a regular presence at the Anaconda airport and loved attending local fly-ins, staying connected to the aviation community he cherished.

As much as he enjoyed his hobbies, his greatest joy came from being a grandfather. He rarely missed a softball, basketball, or volleyball game for any of his three granddaughters, no matter the miles.

In later years, as his health declined, Tom spent more time close to home. Friends and neighbors often spotted him “cruising the drag,” always ready to stop and visit. He also treasured his Friday morning breakfasts with classmates and summer masses at Georgetown Lake.

Tom is survived by his children; Brad Earhart (Tammy Thacker), Brandi (Rene) Rico, and Shannon Matosich; his brothers Bill (Danielle) Earhart and Jack (Diane) Earhart; his beloved granddaughters, Lauren Bolton (Kevin Kanduch), Macy Matosich (Kynan Kellegher), and Annie Matosich (Stephen Bauman); numerous nieces and nephews (especially the close relationship he had with Stacey Earhart and Keira Earhart); and special friends Bill Sullivan, Joe Conlon, Dave Beatty, and Pam Swanson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bob and sister-in-law Marsha; and his sister, Carla Rother.

We would like to offer a special thanks to Justice from Angel Care, whose care and compassion over the past couple of months will never be forgotten.

Memorials can be made to St. Jude Children’s Foundation, Anaconda Food Bank at P.O. Box 1280, or Anaconda VFW Post 1876.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Family Church, 217 W. Pennsylvania St.,  Anaconda, on Monday, November 17, 2025 with visitation at 9:30 a.m. and mass at 10:30 a.m. Immediately after mass, internment will be held at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 5th St., Anaconda, followed by a luncheon back at Holy Family Church.

Please visit anacondafuneralhome.com to leave a condolence or share a memory of Tom.