Thomas J Parry, 85, a native son and lifelong resident of Malad, Idaho, passed away on Wednesday, November 26, 2008, in the Oneida County Hospital. On July 10, 1923, Tom was born into the loving family of George K and Mary Jane Jones Parry who bestowed upon him the tenets that would guide him through a happy and successful life.
After graduating from Malad High School he attended Idaho State University and Stevens Henager Business College where he received a degree in business. With the onset of World War II, Tom went to work for Remington Arms Co. until his enlistment in the US Army Air Corp. in September 1943.
On November 18, 1942, he married his high school sweetheart, Emo Lou Waldron, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Their life together became the story of wartime America, successive periods of separation or life on dingy army bases. Tom graduated from Officer Candidate School as a Bombardier. He received an honorable discharge in 1945 when he and Emo Lou returned to their beloved Malad Valley to continue a life of sixty-six glorious years together.
Through a succession of civil service jobs, Tom eventually went to work for the US Postal Service where he became Postmaster of the Malad, Idaho Office where he served for many years.
Tom was an active member of the LDS church serving as Young Men’s President, Sunday School President, Elders Quorum President, and Counselor in two bishoprics and Stake Financial Clerk. He was active in civil affairs throughout the Malad Valley and was a long-time member of the Malad Lion’s Club.
Tom had an avid love for the outdoors. He enjoyed golfing, tennis, snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, camping and vacationing with his family. He took great pride in the horses he rode and the cattle he raised. His enjoyment of the outdoors was exceeded only by his love for family and friends.
Tom and Emo Lou are the loving parents to five daughters: Lynnette (Dale) Thomas of Brigham City, Utah, Julie (Tim) Willie of Malad, Idaho, Cynthia (Val) Lewis Bothwell, Utah, Lisa (David) Baker of Malad, Idaho, and Michele (Robert) Talbot of Preston, Idaho.
He is survived by his wife, daughters, and son-in-laws, 18 grandchildren and their spouses, and 37 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters Jeanine Kent of Fielding, Utah, and Noreen (James) Kent of Spokane, Washington.
He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Wesley and LaMonte Parry; three sisters, Ardelle Thomas, Vadis Gilgen, and Sara Moss; three children, Leslie W, Sherrin, and Thomas LaMonte Parry; and three grandchildren, Laura Thomas, and two infant grandsons.
He is very much loved and will be greatly missed.
Funeral services are on Monday, December 1, 2008, at the Malad LDS Third Ward Chapel at 12:00 noon.

Funeral services were held December 1 in the Third Ward Chapel. Burial was in the Malad City Cemetery with military rites by the Ernest W. Jones Post.