Tom Drews

Thomas David Drews, 71, of Belgrade, Montana, died at peace on September 3rd, 2025. Born in Minneapolis, to Raymond Allan Drews and Clara Mae Moyer, Tom graduated from Winona State University in 1976, before settling in his beloved Gallatin Valley.

Proud to call Montana home for more years than his home state of Minnesota, Tom loved everything about this ‘last best place,’ and couldn’t understand how anyone could live anywhere else. A local contractor and finish carpenter, and an avid KGLT radio fan, Tom enjoyed work and loved to listen to music—usually both at the same time. He also liked his neighbors to listen to his music while he worked. Early on, Tom worked at Midwest Welding in Bozeman, and after having enough of lying under horse trailers in the snow, he started work as a carpenter; having honed his skills working with his dad as a kid and running his own business building fences in his teens. He wasn’t sure where to start so he started at ‘A’ in the phonebook and called every business he could, until he got a job. Tom had an incredible work ethic and could turn his hand to almost anything. Tom believed that hard work gave a person the freedom to follow their dreams.

One of Tom’s dreams, which he made a reality whenever he could, was to hunt. Tom loved the outdoors; he liked to be prepared for anything, and thankfully (for him) he also loved getting up at 4.30 in the morning! He never thought he was a great hunter but was justifiably proud when he shot a moose and got it in his truck and back home, all by himself. The sight of a full-size moose hanging from the garage ridge beam was quite a spectacle in Bozeman for a few days! Tom’s other love was boating, a true water baby, he spent summers on the lake in Minnesota, he loved whitewater kayaking and canoeing—braving big waves (and even bigger grizzly bears) on Yellowstone and Shoshone Lakes. And you can’t live in Bozeman without also loving backcountry skiing and, of course, ice hockey.

Tom not only had a strong character, he was a character! He was a people person; he always made an impression; everyone has a story to tell about Tom. How many people do you know would think of serving birthday cake to his son's friends in a length of rainwater gutter? Or of digging a 6-foot deep hole in the ground by hand to roast a pig in? Tom often spoke of his pride and pleasure in being able to care for his son, Dillon, in his early years; holding him in the shower when he was a baby and making him sourdough pancakes as he got older. Tom never forgot a name and would strike up friendships with complete strangers wherever he went; he also forged friendship bonds that lasted for decades. It was with one of his friends that he met his wife, Debbie. His Mrs. Blue Eyes. Tom and Debbie married in 2004 on an idyllic clifftop in Scotland. With Debbie at his side, Tom loved to travel and was an advocate for the nation’s parks – his hands down favorite being Yellowstone. Together they worked in and visited many parks in recent years and enjoyed spending Christmas alone with nature in Yellowstone. One of Tom’s most cherished memories was of living in Yellowstone during the winter; snowmobiling 140 miles to pick up groceries (keeping as many eggs intact as possible) avoiding bison and tourist groups (who drove way to slow for Tom). One of Tom’s last big trips was to Alaska—Tom always said that if he hadn’t found Montana, he’d have carried on to Alaska. Fiercely proud and independent, Tom was the archetype of rugged western idealism and individualism. He was an unashamed romantic and a complete gentleman.

Tom was as tough as a ‘56 Chevy (a story for another time) and continued to work hard and play hard through his glioblastoma diagnosis almost up to his untimely death. Tom will be remembered for many things—his hair, his daisy dukes, his workmanship—but above all, his strength and resourcefulness, his drive and determination, and his fearlessness; but mostly, for his love. His love of Montana and the outdoors, his love of music, and his love of his friends and his family. His love of life. And his love of God.

Tom was preceded in death by his mother Clara Mae and father Ray, and is survived by his wife Debbie, his son Dillon, his stepmother Nancy; sisters Cyndi (Mark) Estle, Nancy (Carl) Immediato, and Teri (Jerry) Upping; brothers Dan (Wendy), Tom McLarnon, and David Ederick; nieces Mara (Shannon) Martin, Gina Immediato, Alli Estle, Kelsey (Jeff) Haviland, Kasey (Cody) Butler; and nephews Colin (Jill) Olsson, and Christopher Uppling.

The remembrance service will be held at Dahl Funeral Home at 1.00pm on Tuesday September 23, 2025, followed by a short graveside service at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Bozeman. There will also be a small gathering at Tom’s home for those not able to make the service – please contact Tom’s wife, Debbie, for details.

Tom’s family would like to thank the St Charles Hospital and Cancer Center, Dr Kent Yundt, Dr Michael Bell, Bozeman Health Cancer Center, Dr Kara Schenk, Compassus, and Cornerstone Caregiving for the fantastic care that Tom received.

If you wish to honor Tom’s memory, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to KGLT in Tom’s name.