Thomas Jay Evavold

Thomas Jay Evavold

July 30, 1946–Apr. 7, 2025

Thomas Jay Evavold, beloved father, brother, and friend passed away peacefully on April 7, 2025 in Moscow, Idaho. The third of six children to Don and Carol Evavold, Tom was raised on a wheat farm south of Odessa, Wash. His family relocated to Lakeview Cattle Ranch on Pacific Lake North of Odessa where work ethic was instilled, caring for prize shorthorn bulls while raising crops with his family. Playing hard was the norm also as waterskiing, hunting and fishing became passions for all.

He graduated from Odessa High School, where he excelled in all sports, particularly football. Following high school, Tom played football at Carroll College in Helena, Montana for one year while also taking flight training. He then moved back to Washington, attended Spokane Community College while serving in the Army Reserves, then returned to Odessa while serving in the Air Force Reserves. Tom married Nancy Schorzman and together had two sons, Joe and Matt.

The family lived and worked on the Schorzman farm north of Odessa while Tom established an irrigation system on the Lauer land south of town to which they relocated, where he truly built his career in farming. He had an inventive aptitude for fixing things, often repairing breakdowns himself instead of sending it out or calling someone in. He was a skilled welder, fabricating or modifying whatever was needed. He would buy older wheat trucks and restore them to working condition. He also once proudly restored a beautiful 1959 Ford Retractable to showroom condition.

He loved to golf also, restoring a 1963 Cushman golf cart to get around in. He enjoyed spending time in the mountains, taking the family on many snowmobile trips. He liked pushing the envelope, once taking first place in his age division in the Hillclimb competition in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Tom was a voracious hunter of ducks, geese, deer, and elk. He was a huge dog lover, favoring yellow labrador retrievers, which he would train and take duck/goose hunting. Big game trophies covered the walls in his house after numerous trips to Republic of Zimbabwe, Africa. He was a member of the Safari Club, the Odessa Lion's Club, and was the Odessa Volunteer Fire Dept. for 26 years.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Carol Evavold, and his brother, Jim Evavold (Candy). Tom is survived by his two sons, Joe (Rhonda) and Matt (Anne); his three brothers, Max (Arlene), Jon (Carol Jeanne), and Steve (Rae); his sister, Anne, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Tom will be remembered for his sense of humor, hard work, dedication to his family, and deep roots in the farming community. Tom had a charm about him that endeared him to those who knew him. He will be dearly missed.

A brief graveside inurnment will be at 11:00 am on June 14, 2025 at Odessa Cemetery for all who wish to attend, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Old Town Hall in Odessa, WA. A main dish will be served, but potluck sides and desserts are welcomed. Memorials may be made to the Odessa Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 132, Odessa, WA 99159.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at http://www.stratefuneralhome.com.