Thomas Ochs, 75, Laurel, MT, formerly of Fairview, MT

Funeral services for Thomas Ochs, 75, Laurel, MT, formerly of Fairview, MT, were held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, at Community Presbyterian Church, Fairview, MT, with Pastor Sam Samuelson officiating. Interment was in the Fairview Cemetery, Fairview, ND. Fulkerson-Stevenson Funeral Home, Sidney, MT, is assisting the family with local arrangements. Remembrances, condolences, and pictures may be shared with the family at http://www.fulkersons.com.

Thomas Michael Ochs peacefully passed away on Nov. 8, 2023, at the age of 75 in Billings, MT. Despite having gone through several heart attacks and two strokes, he kept his will to live life to the fullest and his sense of humor up to his very last days.

Thomas was born on Sept. 28, 1948, to Edward and Dorothy Ochs at the Broadhead home, Fairview, MT. His family initially lived in the Fairview hills and in 1952 moved to the valley at the Confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers. He attended elementary school in Dore and East Fairview and graduated from Fairview High School.

As an adult he spent a few years in the National Guard but returned home to pursue his passion, farming. He met his wife Susan when she was hired to drive trucks for beet harvest. They married on Nov. 2, 1974, and later had two daughters, Katherine and Jennifer. He spent many years working in the oil and gas industry. In 2004, Thomas and his brother sold the land at the Confluence, and it became Ochs Point. Tom and Susan moved to Williston, ND, for about 10 years and then to Laurel, MT, for another 10 years.

Thomas enjoyed restoring antique tractors and classic pickup trucks including a '58 Ford and a '67 Ford. He spent many winters with friends, ice fishing at the Confluence, but those who knew him understood he was only there to play cribbage. Hunting was another favorite activity on the farm and hunters traveled long distances to hunt with Thomas. He was a talented, self-taught guitar player that played by ear and kept improving his abilities until the end of his life. He enjoyed making music with friends and played in a band when he lived in Williston, ND.

Surviving family members include his wife Susan (Hauso) Ochs, Laurel, MT; daughter Katherine (Ochs) Gowan, Billings, MT, daughter Jennifer Ochs and son-in-law Erjon Beqo, Pinole, CA, grandchildren Sofia and Lukas Beqo, brother Edward Ochs and sister-in-law Ann Ochs, Daytona Beach, FL. Thomas was blessed to have many cousins, nieces and nephews as well.

He is preceded by his parents Edward and Dorothy (Huff) Ochs and sister Marie (Ochs) Finnicum.