Thomas "Tom" W. Richards

Hamilton - Thomas W. Richards peacefully passed away January 24, 2025 while traveling to his winter home in Yuma, AZ while living the life he wanted to at age 83. His love for life was felt by all the doctors, friends, and family that Tom came in contact with. Tom was born January 15, 1942 to Martyn and Pearl Richards in Walkerville, MT, where his father was a miner. At the age of 8 weeks, his family moved to a farm in Corvallis, MT in the Bitterroot Valley, where he would spend the rest of his life. In high school, Tom participated in football, basketball, and track. Tom graduated from Corvallis High as class president in 1960 with scholarships to play football at the community college in Dillon, MT. Tom married his high school sweetheart Sharon Mason after high school and started a family with the birth of their son Tom in 1961, followed by their daughter Cindy in 1963. Tom and Sharon divorced and Tom was drafted into the Army in 1967 and then National Guard. After his time in the service, Tom was hired at the Ravalli County Road Dept. as a heavy equipment operator. He knew every road in Ravalli County and was known for his grading and paving skills. Tom married the love of his life Cheryl Olin on May 11, 1968. They spent the first years working and saving money to build their first home in Hamilton in 1976, with the help of Cheryl's brother Lowell Olin. There they would start their family in 1977 with the birth of Ryan, followed by Eric in 1980. Tom loved hunting, fishing, gardening, sports, and fixing things. Tom retired in 2004. During his retirement, he turned his 5 acres into a 6 hole pitch-and-put golf course named Tom's Run." You would often find him mowing the greens and fairways, chasing moles, occasionally shooting a round of golf with family and friends, and tinkering in his shop. Tom and Cheryl loved to load up the camper and boat and head to lakes, take drives in the mountains to pick wild flowers, sit by warm fires, and spend winters in Yuma, AZ. Tom loved to help others and was known for his laugh, smile, handshakes, hugs, stories, and the nickname that he gave many of "Cap." He would tell stories in ways which stretched the imagination. Tom would say he lived a good life. Tom is survived by his wife Cheryl, brother Steve (Donna), son Eric (Karen) and grandchildren Andrew and Carly, son Tom and daughter Cindy and their families. Funeral Services with be held at Daly-Leach Memorial Chapel in Hamilton on Tuesday, February 4th at 10am. Graveside service will follow at the Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton, MT. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.