Thomas Albert Drebes, 68
American Legion of Montana Officer of the Year
Thomas Albert Drebes, 68, was born May 22, 1953 to Albert Drebes and Margery (Hahn) Drebes in Polson. He lived out his life on the family farm east of Pablo. He attended school in Pablo and then Ronan High School. He graduated in 1971. He was a charter member of the Skyliners Jeep Club. He took part in trail rides and helped put on the annual rallies that were held out across from the stock car track. Later, the rallies were held on the Drebes farm. The last one there was in 1998.
He worked many years at the Pack River Lumber Co., running the resaw and trimsaw. After the mill shut down he worked for Fleming Farms. After his father passed away he ran the family farm until he could no longer manage it due to his health. He worked at many other jobs here and there, including logging in the north fork of the Flathead River, where he lived in a tent and dealt with bears every day.
He worked at Peevees (now Westland Seed) right out of high school for a while. He was a clerk at the Finley Point Store for a couple of years. He mowed county roads a couple of summers. He worked for Jim Nethercott for a year, logging. This all gave him plenty of tales to tell.
He married Beverly Ann Avery in 2003 at the Cardston Alberta Temple on July 4. She still remains on the farm.
He was plagued by a left knee injury from his teen years, and he had Type 2 diabetes and heart troubles. He later had lower bowel cancer, had his gallbladder removed, and finally lost the battle to lung failure.
His real loves were hunting and fishing. He was a member of the National Rifle Association and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The family hunted out of Haugen many years over the Thanksgiving holiday, a family tradition still.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and three sisters, Betty Arlint of Kalispell, Phyllis Day of Shelton, Wash., and Henrietta of Pablo.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly; stepdaughter Ashley (Joel) Baker; step-granddaughter Sophia Becker; sister Alberta Allen of Cocolalla, Idaho; brother Robert (Aubrey) Drebes of Pablo; seven nieces, five nephews, and many great-nieces and -nephews. He had no children of his own.
His memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. July 10 at at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1202 4th Ave. E., in Polson. Lunch will be provided.