Thomas McAlpine

Thomas Eugene McAlpine, 76, of Hoven, passed away Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Avera Oahe Manor, Gettysburg following a brief illness.

A celebration of life will be 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at Tolstoy Wesleyan Church in Tolstoy. A gathering of friends and family in Yakima, WA will be scheduled for a later date.

Tom Eugene McAlpine was born October 20, 1946, in Yakima, Washington to Robert Eugene and Myrtle Blanche (Loomis) McAlpine. He joined older brothers Robert and Dennis, later to be followed by Larry Paul (who died in infancy), Stephen, Monica, and Michaeleen. Tom grew up in Yakima, attending St. Paul's Cathedral School, Franklin Junior High and graduating from Davis High School, class of 1965.

Tom enjoyed growing up in Yakima running around with his siblings, playing in the box lots, and jumping trains to Ellensburg and back with his brothers. Tom loved cars, buying them, selling them and fixing them. Moving to public school and getting an opportunity to take auto shop made school tolerable for Tom. While in high school Tom’s team took second place in the Washington Plymouth Troubleshooting contest! During that time Tom worked at 4-Wheel Country for Harvey Ferguson in Union Gap, a time in his life he remembered fondly. After graduation Tom moved to Seattle and worked at South Seattle Auto Auction. In the late 60’s Tom headed North to Alaska to work on oil platforms as well as to haul explosives and pipe for the pipeline. Tom had an affinity for things with motors, dump trucks, tow trucks, and semi-trucks. Brother Dennis told him he couldn't play with cars and trucks forever, but Tom loved playing truck driver and made it his vocation.

Tom met Kathleen Cousart in October of 1969 in Valdez, Alaska. Though his cousin Susie told Kathy not to fall for Tom, as he was not the marrying kind, they married in November. Son Eugene Edward and daughter Cherie Delight soon rounded out their family.

In 1974, Tom decided to move his family to Yakima. He spent the next 20 years in Yakima. When he wasn't on the road long haul you could find him at Highway Towing because he liked tow trucks, going out on wrecks and the fellowship.

Over the years Tom drove his trucks to every state in the union (other than Hawaii) as well as every province in Canada. He often got calls for information or advice and he didn’t have to be awake to give it, he might not remember the call, but if reminded he would follow up the next day to make sure the advice was sound! He could give advice on how to get where you were going or how to figure out and fix what was broken, and he was happy to help. Tom was also known to eat peanut butter sandwiches in his sleep, something he was fondly teased about by his family. His kids knew better than to try to sneak something past him in his sleep though, because his pat answer would be, “if you want a yes or no answer right now, the answer is no”.

In 1992 Tom and Kathy "bought the farm" and moved to Hoven, South Dakota. Tom loved that he could park his truck where he wanted, and enjoyed the community and small-town life, and Hoven even had tow trucks. After the move he would come through Yakima often, stopping for dinner and a visit with family. Most years he brought Kathy out to visit as well.

In 2002 Tom got his own authority for Tom McAlpine Trucking so he could take his grandson, Maxon, on the road with him. They enjoyed over the road adventures including a trip to Disney World and fishing in Alaska. After Kathy retired from being a nurse she acted as Tom’s office manager. In 2016 Tom and Kathy packed up their camp trailer and took one last drive to Alaska. They visited family and enjoyed their travels. 2019 lockdowns and health concerns brought an end to Tom's trucking ways and he and Kathy settled into retirement.

Tom is survived by Kathy, his wife of 53 years; son, Eugene (Karen) McAlpine; daughter, Cherie McAlpine-Foster; grandsons: Maxon Foster-McAlpine, Eugene F. McAlpine; granddaughters: Cherokee L. Ramirez-Baez and Natasha A. McAlpine; brothers: Dennis and Stephen (Dana) McAlpine; brother-in-law, Gary Hollenbeck; sister, Michaeleen (Phil) Berger; in-laws: Bob Cousart and AnnaLee and Bob Conti as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents Bob and Myrtle McAlpine; brothers: Robert and Larry Paul McAlpine; sister, Monica Hollenbeck; sister-in-law, Linda McAlpine; in-laws: Robert Cousart, AnnaMae Cousart; niece, Myrtle Matrona McAlpine; and nephews: Sean and Sam McAlpine.

Tom always had a twinkle in his eye, a part of what drew Kathy to him. Brother Stephen described Tom as a family lynch pin, and that description fit, he brought people together. Tom was always there for his family and friends, he loved to help people. He always had a story or a joke to tell and was always willing to pitch in and help a friend or a stranger. He lived a life well-loved, and he will be missed.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Thomas’ arrangements.