Thomas Wayne Root

Born May 8, 1947 Thomas Wayne Galub and adopted September, 1952 Thomas Wayne Root. Graduated from Shelby High School 1966 and joined the Marine Corps in October of the same year. Served in Vietnam April 1967 - May 1968 and in the fall of 1968 approved for Marine Security Guard school and Headquarters Marine Corps in Arlington, Virginia. After graduating with a top security clearance Thomas served under the State Department at the American Embassy in Bogota, Columbia. As Sgt. Thomas was escort for the first men on the Moon, Aldrin, Armstrong and Collins while they were on their “Good Will Tour”, with a stop in Bogota. In January 1971 Thomas received an honorable discharge from the Marines.

Thomas experienced many adventures, floated all major rivers in Montana with his favorite being Middle Fork of the Flathead from Shafer’s Meadows and hiked across Glacier National Park as well as Bob Marshall Wilderness.

Thomas also greatly loved American history, especially Montana history and exploring the actual locations where events took place. He enjoyed looking deep into Custer’s Last Stand (Battle of the Greasy Grass) and reading many books and visited the site many times.

Thomas attended college at Flathead Community College, and graduated from a telephone communications school in which Thomas did Telephone Engineering work in Texas. In addition he worked a year in newspaper and wrote weekly articles on sports and hobbies and sold advertising with two years in television.

Thomas began his career in announcing with a live baseball game in 1970 as he was selling advertising. He joined KLBC Radio in Libby, MT under mentorship of Bob Knickebocker and broadcast his first football game in the fall of 1972. Thomas retired from radio broadcasting

In 2003 and during that time MC’d the Jr Miss Pageants, Rodeo Slack, Moto Cross, Baseball, Basketball and major fund raising events. During his career he was a Disc Jockey, produced news, commercials and became successful at radio sales. Thomas broadcast sports throughout Montana including AA,A,B and C including once broadcasting a football game from the roof of a school bus.

Thomas moved back to Shelby and began a great passion for promoting events for a new All-weather track for Shelby High School. He put together four “Bear River Boogies” with the first three on the Marias River which had never been done before with great success. Bear River being the original name by The Blackfoot Nation. Thomas spent a lot of time and energy on this passion for building the track and eventually raised over $216,000 with donated construction bringing the project total raised to $250,000.

Thomas (TR) Root loved his friends and family with vigor and was the best pet dad to two Scottish Terriers Scotty and Whiskey. He was known for being the number one fan for the Montana Grizzlies, never missing a game. His big presence will be forever missed.

A Celebration of Life for Thomas Wayne Root, 79, will be Saturday, August 8, at 2:00 pm at United Methodist Church in Shelby.