THOMAS KOOP JR. Obituary

BOX ELDER Thomas Mitchell Koop Jr., 48, died Jan. 12, 2007, in Bakersville, Calif. His cause of death has not yet been determined.

Thomas' wake service will be 4 p. m. Friday with his funeral service 10 a.m. Saturday, all at the Rocky Boy Catholic Church with Father Pete Guthneck officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Thomas was born March 20, 1958, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Thomas and Josephine (LaMere) Koop Sr. He was raised and educated in Dinuba, Calif. He entered into the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1976. He returned to Box Elder and worked for Burlington Northern Railway and the Chippewa Cree Roads Department. Thomas enjoyed socializing, traveling, spending time with family, friends and his grandchildren. Tom was a free spirit and he never remained in one place for long. Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter Jacintha Rose Chiefstick; one grandson; one granddaughter; and sister-in-law, Debbie Stump. Survivors include his significant other, Evelyn Belcourt of Rocky Boy; daughters, Jamie (Joe) Holman of Spokane, Wash., and Adelle (James) Lamebull and Lisa (Dennis) Claffey of Havre; sons, Allen James Potter of Spokane, Wash., and James and Eric Koop of Havre; sisters, Mary (Ron) Berry of Orosi, Calif., Barbara (Harvey) Friede, Gloria (Tommy) Parisian, Kathy Koop and Michele (Darrell) Gardipee, all of Box Elder; adopted sister, Tammy Azure Golden of Box Elder; brothers, Timmy (Cindy) Koop, Teddy Koop and Tom Tom (Cynthia) Koop, all of Box Elder; adopted brothers, Lyle MacDonald and Joe Boy Morsette of Box Elder; 12 grandchildren; and one greatgrandchild. Memorial contributions in Thomas' honor may be made to a memorial of one's choice. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.