Thomas Ennis Chivers

Thomas 'Tom" Ennis Chivers, 76, of Filer, Idaho, passed away on December 11, 2023, in Wahoo, Nebraska, following his three-year battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Tom was surrounded by his wife, sons, and daughter at his daughter’s home in Wahoo prior to his passing. Born to Aileen (Ennis) and Thomas W. Chivers in Salmon, Idaho, Tom was the oldest of eight children (Peggy, Steve, Anne, Johnny, Theresa, Mary, and Roy). He grew up in Challis on his parents’ cattle ranch settled below the red bluff cliffs and along the Salmon River northeast of town. The ranch was where he learned how to work, learned the craft of being a cowboy, developed a love for Quarter horses, found a passion for the outdoors, and cultivated a love for family and friends.

Tom was named the Challis High School Class of 1965 Salutatorian and later attended Carroll College in Helena, Montana where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics. Undecided on a particular career upon graduation in 1969, Tom chose to provisionally teach and coach high school students in Lodge Grass, Montana and Jordan Valley, Oregon from 1969 to 1971. This ‘provisional’ decision would eventually lead to a degree from Idaho State University and a lifetime of service in public education and athletics where he built lasting relationships and impacted countless lives along the way.

Tom married his wife and best friend of 49 years, Karen James of Challis, Idaho on January 7, 1974. Later that year he accepted his first full-time job in Buhl, Idaho teaching math and coaching women’s basketball. In the classroom, Tom quickly earned a reputation for discipline, exacting standards, and an ability to insightfully assess a student’s effort, understanding, and commitment in the classroom, whether the student—or parent—wanted to hear it or not. Tom coached several sports at Buhl during his tenure and his head coaching positions included women’s and men’s basketball, cross country, and track. Tom eventually stopped coaching and served as the Athletic Director his last three years at Buhl. Tom’s coaching style was consistent with his classroom demeanor; he was unbending on the fundamentals and spent hours working through game and race strategies. While Tom worked towards individual and collective success, whether in the classroom or on the court, track, or field, he was genuinely focused on motivating students and athletes to leverage their God-given talents, maximize their individual potential, and asked that they simply give their best every day. Tom retired in 2008 after 36 years of dedicated service.

Teaching and coaching in Buhl from the fall through early spring allowed Tom to manage the Stanley Basin Cattlemen’s Association operations in Stanley, Idaho during the summer. Simultaneously, Tom and Karen established and grew a successful summer camp for boys and girls. Tom prized riding an athletic, well-reined horse across alpine meadows and relished pushing a herd of cattle beneath the majestic backdrop of the Sawtooth Mountains. He treasured working and recreating in the Sawtooth and Challis National Forests along the Salmon River with his wife, children, and extended family and friends. Tom often commented that the 18 summers in Stanley were the best, most worthwhile summers of his life.

Tom and Karen raised four children, Bryan (Alicia) of Kalispell, Montana, Patricia (Jason) Glock of Wahoo, Nebraska, Luke (Molly) of Phoenix, Arizona, and Will (Emily) of Boise, Idaho. An incredibly involved father and grandfather, Tom and Karen traveled the world visiting their kids and 11 grandkids. Grandpa Chivers was very much revered for assessing his grandchildren’s athletic performance, consistently leaving his turn signal on, always having a pack of bubblegum on-hand, and his uncanny ability to pull money out of the grandchildren’s ears. 

Tom was preceded in death by his father, Thomas W. Chivers; and his youngest brother, Roy Chivers. 

He is survived by his wife, Karen Chivers; his mother, Aileen Chivers; six brothers and sisters; his four children; and 11 grandchildren.

You have reached the summer pastures; the grass is lush, the waters flow crisp and clear, and the skies are forever blue. Rest in peace. Your legacy lives on in those you taught, coached, befriended, and loved.

Donations In Memory of Tom can be mailed to Karen or delivered at each of the services. Funds will used to offset funeral expenses and donated to the ALS Association. Memorial donations may be sent to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (https://icbuhl.org/donations-online), In Memory of Tom Chivers, c/o The Knights of Columbus. Flower arrangements are by Farmer Funeral Chapel (Buhl) and Jones & Casey Funeral Home (Challis).

Rosary will be held from 12:30 pm until 1:00 pm, with Mass beginning at 1:00 pm, Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1701 Poplar Street, Buhl. Memorial service will follow from 4:00 pm until 5:00 pm, at the 7th Street Gymnasium, 215 7th Ave N, Buhl. Family and friends are then invited to join the family for a reception from 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Parish Hall.

Graveside service will be held at 12:00 pm, Friday, March 15, 2024, at the Challis Cemetery, 121 Main Street, Challis, followed by a reception at 1:30 pm, at the Challis American Legion Hall, 211 Main Street, Challis.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Tom's memorial webpage at www.farmerfuneralchapel.com.