Thomas "Tom" Ovilla Cheff

MISSOULA — MONTANA — With a smile that could light up a room and a heart as vast as the Montana sky, Thomas Ovilla Cheff embarked on his next great adventure on Sunday, July 28th, after a hard-fought battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy of strong roots, love, and a few good tall tales.

On January 26, 1954, Floyd and AnnaMae Cheff welcomed their new son, joining four siblings at their home on the family ranch in the Potomac Valley. Tom attended Potomac Elementary and Sentinel High School. Along with the entire family, he spent his younger years attending mass at St. Ann’s Church. Side by side with his parents and six siblings, they worked the ranch. They enjoyed small breaks from the ranch to fish the Blackfoot River, ski Diamond Mountain, and ride horses across the valley.

His logging career started with a double-bitted ax and horses in the pasture, which led to logging with a D2 cat with his brothers at ten years old. He evolved with the industry from that ax, to chainsaws, to hand logging, to mechanical logging, and to driving a logging truck. He was known all around as a hand with any equipment and as a mechanic; he was building roads just earlier this year. Tom cherished being in the woods and logging, but most of all, he valued the camaraderie it brought. He enjoyed working alongside his brothers, sons, and grandsons, mentoring many others throughout the years. For him, it was always a labor of love.

He married Jennifer Sneddon on September 3, 1971. They had three children: Amanda, Mark, and Terri. Later, they divorced. Then, on July 13, 1996, he married Heidi Allen, with whom he shared 28 wonderful years. Together, they had three children: Stetsen, Dalten, and Macey. His Father’s Day gift this year read “a proud father of a few dumbass kids,” and he said the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. He never missed a chance to joke around, nor an opportunity to express his love for his children.

After a long week working in the woods, he’d be ready for the weekends. Whether that meant backyard BBQs, driving dirt roads, or camping under the great big sky, his favorite part of all was the time he spent with family and friends: toasting a drink, listening to music, and dancing around the campfire.

Tom’s passion for guns began with a Red Ryder BB gun and continued with a collection of guns, including his .41 Smith & Wesson always close by. He could spend hours with his kids in pawn shops and sporting goods stores talking guns. He prided himself on his marksmanship. Preparing for the Montana seasons, you could find him scouting and hunting for birds, elk, and deer. He had respect for wildlife and great admiration for Mother Nature and was a steward of both for future generations. Tom had a great love for his country, was proud of the red, white, and blue, and was a true patriot.

Starting out with a Honda Trail 90, his love for motorsports began. He enjoyed them all: from boats to wave runners, dirt bikes, four-wheelers, snowmobiles, and finally a Polaris Rzr. Every opportunity he and Heidi had, they could be found enjoying the backroads and trails of Montana.

Tom's love for Heidi was deep and unwavering, and he cherished every adventure they had together. During his battle with cancer, he found immense strength and comfort in her constant care, love, and humor. Heidi's daily presence brought joy and light to Tom, even on the toughest days. Her dedication and support showed just how strong their bond was.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and AnnaMae Cheff; his sisters, Elaine Ployhar and Cherie Jacobsen; mother-in-law, Darlene Allen; sister-in-law, Patsy Cheff; and brothers-in-law, David Allen, Craig Farley, and Martin Ployhar.

Tom is survived by his wife, Heidi; his children, Mandy (Mike) Cyr, Mark (Heather) Cheff, Terri Cheff, Stetsen (Christina) Cheff, Dalten Cheff, and Macey Cheff; his grandchildren, Austin (Chelsea), Ethan, Mersaydees, Hope, Lou, Chase, Jenna, Gracie, Westen, Huxsten, Clayten, and baby-to-be Thomas; along with great-grandson Colt. His siblings, Jim Cheff, Joann Farley, Ed (Patti) Cheff, and Steve (Bev) Cheff. His in-laws, Darla (Dan) Carvey, Greg (Kim) Allen, and Tom Allen; and over a hundred nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved dearly.

A&R Lowboy will carry Tom on his final ride in the dozer on Saturday, August 3rd. The convoy leaves Town Pump in Bonner at 3:00 PM, heads to Old Potomac Road, and returns to Twin Creeks Logging Camp at 20880 Hwy 200 for a celebration of his life at 5:00 PM. Join us for both to honor Tom's memory and share a few tall tales.