Thomas Firemoon
Thomas Edward Firemoon, 58, died April 5, 2021, in Billings.
He was born on July 18, 1962, in Poplar to Lyle Firemoon and Leta Fourstar Firemoon, the youngest boy of all the siblings. Throughout his childhood, his family lived in many places, but eventually settled on the Fort Peck Reservation.
During his school years, he enjoyed playing basketball and had many great stories to tell about when he played. He graduated from Lustre Christian High School in 1980 and always rooted for the Lustre Lions.
He worked at the A& S Industries, amongst other places, before going into the military. In 1986, he entered the United States Navy and was stationed in San Diego, Calif., serving on the USS Constellation CV 64 (“The Connie”). While aboard the aircraft carrier, he ran the ship’s store, did some cooking and would run twice a day to train for the Olympics. He did not talk much about his service because he took the military oath to heart and now has taken it to his grave. He did tell of a fire on the aircraft carrier in August 1988 that he fought alongside his shipmates. He spent three years in active duty before being honorably discharged and moved to Navy Reserve. Being a Navy veteran was one of his proudest accomplishments.
In 1992, he married Marva Chapman. With this union, Buddy and Sunee were put in his life and he raised them as his own. They went on to have Sirr, Justiss and Presley. Throughout the years, he moved the family to many different cities for his jobs. This included Billings; Missoula; San Diego, Calif.; and Williston, N.D. He and Marva later divorced.
He graduated with a fouryear business administration degree from University of Montana and was in the master’s program at UofM for business administration at the time of his death. He was proud of his college experience and wished to eventually get his doctorate.
He worked in management and higher-level jobs at many places throughout his life, such as Trader’s State Bank in Poplar, Flying J in Billings, a temp agency in San Diego, bookkeeping for school district offices in San Diego, Williston and Poplar, assistant manager at Walmart in Williston and Miles City, counselor at Spotted Bull and other programs of the Fort Peck Tribes.
Some of his enjoyments included drinking tea and coffee; playing cards, especially Rummy, or board games. He loved reading, spending time with his family, tuning into online church services every chance he got and watching the Lakers games. He enjoyed coaching basketball as well. He coached teams from ages elementary to college during his life, with the Buffalo Chasers being the last team he coached.
He is survived by his children, Buddy Smith, Sunee Erickson, Sirr Firemoon, Justiss Toavs and Presley Sears; four grandchildren; sisters, Velda Stewart, Ingrid Firemoon, Lyla Law and Joy Reddig.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Jr, Vincent and Dawson; and sister, Melda.
Funeral services were held Monday, April 12, at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Interment followed at Greenwood Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point was entrusted with the arrangements.
