Thomas Darwin Beven

Thomas Darwin Beven passed away on June 26, 2018. Tom was born on August 16, 1931, the third of four children born to John and Agnes (Nicholas) Beven in Laurel.

Tom grew up in Laurel and graduated from Laurel High school in 1950. He enlisted in the Navy in 1951, where he served on the USS Essex during the Korean War. After Tom was honorably discharged in 1954, he worked various jobs, then joined the Billings Fire Department in 1955.

Tom married Betty Timmer on July 28, 1956 and had two daughters. During his time on the fire department, Tom would take on extra jobs, but he always made time for his family. He would spend time taking his "girls" water skiing, motorcycle riding, snowmobiling, fishing and camping, or just taking them to lunch. His daughters always remembered the patience their dad had when they would break or wreck something. He rarely got mad, he just fixed it.

After 26 years, Tom retired from the Billings Fire Department in 1980 as Battalion Chief. However, Tom was not one to sit idle. Tom and Betty started Beven Drilling and spent many years drilling water wells around the Boulder River area. He and his wife then began to travel; spending many winters as snow birds, finally returning to Billings to stay in 2000.

Tom was always available to help family, friends and neighbors. When his health began to fail he didn't complain, and he was still always available to supervise. Tom and his family are very grateful to Nicole, his caregiver for the last few years. She was there to help through many misadventures.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years Betty, his grandchildren, Amelia Bauer, Nicholas Johnson, and Julia Johnson. He is preceded in death by his daughters, Ann and Cindy, as well as his two brothers John and Ken, and sister Gladys. Cremation has taken place and a memorial will be held at Michelotti-Sawyers on July 11, 2018 at 11 a.m.