Obituaries
Thomas James Kuzma
Thomas James Kuzma, 74, resident of Sheridan, WY, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at the Billings Clinic in Billings, MT. from complications following major heart surgery.
Thomas J. was born in Sheridan, WY on January 25, 1951, along with his twin brother David, to Frank and Ruth (Cooke) Kuzma. He is a graduate of Eau Claire (WI) North High School (1969) and University of Wisconsin-EAU Claire BBA Communication Systems/ Geography(1973).
He proudly served as HM2 USN Hospital Corpsman, USMC FMF-PAC (Fleet Marine Force-Pacific, MCAS (Marine Corps Air Station) – El Toro/Tustin, CA, 1st Med BN MCB Camp Pendleton, CA (1st Medical Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton) PMS, (Preventative Medicine Service). He was also recalled during Desert Storm and served at Naval Hospital Balboa in San Diego, CA
Growing up, Tom was active in Cub Scouts, then became an avid Boy Scout, culminating in his attaining Eagle Scout, Pro Deo et Patria (For God & Country) and Order of the Arrow. Tom lived his life adhering to the Scout Oath, Promise, and Laws. He had a gentle soul and a kind heart, never passing up an opportunity to help anyone he saw in need – a True Friend.
Following his US Naval service, Tom returned to his birth city. He was a familiar figure at the YMCA as well as biking and walking around Sheridan, often stopping to chat with anyone, all who he called Friends. He faced multiple physical and emotional challenges with realistic optimism. He was extremely grateful and thankful for the priceless support and blessings he received from relatives, mates, friends past and present, all whom he called Family! His blessing was always “Good thoughts and Prayers – Be Well.”
Thomas J. is survived by his twin brother, David J. (Kris) Kuzma of Anacortes, WA, sisters Mary Kuzma Anderson of Wellton, AZ, Cathy (Cal) Phillips of Lewistown, MT., many nieces, nephews, friends, (Family)! Too numerous to mention. You know who you are.
Memorial donations to honor Thomas J. may be made Sheridan County YMCA, 417 N. Jefferson, Sheridan, WY 82801, Public Radio, or Military Veteran Service Organization of Donors Choice, Sailors for Sea or Ocean Waterstead Sustainability Org, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library, 335 W. Alger St., Sheridan, WY 82801 with a heartful, thank you.
Online condolences may be made to www.sheridanfuneral.com. Arrangements are under the care of Sheridan Funeral Home.
Jolene Olson
April 8, 2025 at 6:50 pm
Tom was a tutor with Literacy Volunteers of America- Northern Wyoming. He still had his tutor card and showed it to me in the hot tub at the YMCA many months ago. He was proud to have been involved and I’m glad and thankful that he was.
Our talks often revolved around his health challenges but he usually had a plan.
Rest in peace. I’ll miss our conversations, almost always in the hot tub!
Alisa Parsley
April 9, 2025 at 12:31 pm
Tom was a really Good FriendI met him at the YMCA after swimming my laps, I entered the hot tub and there he was. It looked like he needed to talk to someone , so I was there to listen. We became good friends after that day. I was very upset to hear of his passing.
Suzanne Araas Vesely
April 11, 2025 at 1:56 pm
I first met my cousin Tom when I was about 3 years old and he and his twon brother were still babies, out on my Uncle Tom’s pig farm. I lost touch with him until he came to Wyoming to find his Dad, and re-establish ties with him. Tom was the one who was with his Dad when he passed on, also sudddenly and unexpectedly. What struck me about Cousin Tom in subsequent conversatons was his brilliance and sensitivity to the finer points of any issue. Both my husband Bill and I enjoyed his company and conversatons, and we stayed in touch with him over the years. We are very sorry to hear of his passing and we offer our deepest condolences to his family. A really good guy has left the planet.