Thomas F. Frisby

To his final day in this world, Tom Frisby brought joy to the lives of people he had known for a lifetime and those who had met him only days before.

Tom was born in Billings, the beloved son of Bert and Gretchen Frisby. Although he was an only child, he had, as he said, many brothers and sisters because of the close-knit aunts, uncles, and cousins who lived in town. His family instilled in him an abiding appreciation for the mountains. He grew up camping, fishing, skiing, and spending time in Yellowstone Park. Tom loved to play, and later coach, baseball. Tom graduated from Billings Senior High in 1965. He attended Montana State University-Bozeman, earning a B.A. in Commerce in 1969. While at MSU, Tom was a proud Sigma Chi and in ROTC. He became an officer in the U.S. Army and served our country in the Vietnam War.

After returning from Vietnam, Tom became a computer programmer for Burroughs Corporation. He met the love of his life, Kathy (Eide), at a Burroughs training program. Although they had graduated from Senior High just one year apart and had mutual friends, they did not meet until a co-worker came to introduce Kathy to Tom. When asked if he'd met Kathy before, Tom replied no. When the co-worker assumed Tom, who loved to kid, actually knew Kathy already, he walked away and left the two alone. It was the beginning of a romance, love, and full dance card of more than four decades.

Together, Tom and his wife Kathy raised two children, Rick Karp and Tammy Frisby. Tom's life was grounded on his faith and focused on his family, friends, and the Billings community. For much of his adult life, Tom was active in the Billings Kiwanis Club. For two decades, Tom served Billings, and later surrounding areas, through his work at the Job Service of the Montana Department of Labor. Tom began at Job Service helping other veterans find employment and secure job training. He was promoted to manager of the Billings Job Service and retired as a regional director of economic development. Tom found satisfaction in helping people find good work.

Tom loved good food and travel, and he relished them most when shared with family and friends. He was a great cook, giving generously of wonderful meals and traditions that will be deeply missed by many. He was always up for a new recipe too, no matter the mess it might make in the kitchen. Tom was a talented gardener, who year after year did the hard work of tending a large raspberry patch so that others could enjoy the very best fruit and raspberry pie.

A lifelong non-smoker, Tom passed away from complications of metastatic lung cancer. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Tom’s memory to Billings First United Methodist Church, Huntsman Cancer Foundation in Salt Lake City, or the charity of your choice.

A celebration of Tom’s life will be held on Thursday, June 16, 11:00 a.m., at Billings First United Methodist Church, 2800 4th Ave N.

Tom is survived by his wife, Kathy (Eide) Frisby of Billings; his children Richard "Rick" Karp of Billings and Tammy Frisby (Graham Mather) of Salt Lake City; grandchildren Cory Karp, Jack Frisby Mather, and Stella Frisby Mather; sister-and-brother-in-law Sandy (Eide) and Dennis Anderson, and his niece Lisa (Anderson) Norby (Justin) and nephew Dennis (Sonia) Anderson; brother-and-sister-in-law Mike and Deano Eide; his aunt Florence (Frisby) Gentry of Cody; cousins Ron (Myrna) Simon, Sharon Simon, Katherine (Frisby) Fisher DeCourcy, Ted Frisby, Nick Frisby, Patricia (Frisby) Rankin, Elizabeth (Frisby) Lutton, Jane (Frisby) Kincaid, and Ann Brundage; he is also survived by a host of second cousins and friends, especially those at Billings FUMC and his Monday morning prayer group, who were very important in his life.