Tommy Lynn Stuart

Tommy Lynn Stuart, 76, of Buhl, passed away November 2, 2024. Tom was born January 4, 1948, to Dale Daniel Stuart and Dorothy Beatrice Stuart in Archer City, Texas. He was raised along with 3 brothers, Marvin, Rick, and Bud.

Tom's father was a traveling salesman, and his mother was a stay-at-home mom. His parents got divorced, and he and his brothers were then raised by their grandparents due to Beatrice's poor health. Tom spent most of his time hanging around with his cousins Ronny, Frank, and Joe. They would go fishing often.

When Tom turned 17, he joined the U.S. Army. He was enlisted in the army for 2 years when he got discharged due to his mother's poor health. While in the army, Tom met the love of his life, Dottie Ilene Torkelson. Dottie was a single mother with 3 young children, Anita, Dwayne, and Rodney. Tom and Ilene got married on February 25, 1968.

Tom took those 3 children in and raised them as his own. He had an instant family, but he was fine with it due to the love he had for his wife. On November 8, 1968, Tom and Ilene had their first child together, a daughter whom they named Dorothy Ilene Stuart. She was Tom's firstborn child and his pride and joy. On December 18, 1974, they welcomed their second daughter, whom they named Anna Maie Stuart. On May 6, 1978, they welcomed their third daughter, whom they named Dottie Lynn Stuart. On October 27, 1978, they welcomed their first son, whom they named Daniel Wayne J. Stuart.

Tom was a loving father, and he never treated any of his children differently - he raised them all the same. Tom's family didn't have a lot, but what they did have was wonderful.

With Tom's family growing, he began working at 1000 Springs Trout Farm. He was a supervisor and worked there for 10+ years. In 1980, his job required him to pack up his family and move to Lewisporte, Newfoundland. There they lived for 3 precious months. After those 3 months, Tom had to pack up his family and move back to Hollister, Idaho. He got a new job working for Longview Fiber in Twin Falls, where he worked for 5+ years until he got a trucking job with Pacific Container Com. Tom and Ilene bought a house on North Street in Filer, Idaho, where their family has lived ever since. It wasn't a big house, but he made it a big enough home for his family. Tom and Ilene lived there until their passing.

Tom spent countless hours working on his beautiful flower beds. He had a lot of pride and passion for gardening. He loved the colors of the flowers.

In 2014, Tom and Ilene adopted their great-grandson, Michael Alexander Rundle (Alex). Alex became a big part of the family. Tom had 3 grandsons, Brandon, Dwight, and Gabriel. He spent lots of time with them. In 2017, Tom welcomed a great-grandson named Jeremy Issac Moore whom he loved and adored. He would always tell Jeremy that his great grandma (Ilene) would've just adored him. 

Tom had also befriended a small dog named Penny. Penny would often help Tom get through some of his toughest times. He referred to her as Chimama or Nurse Penny.

Tom lived a wonderful life and loved his family dearly. He was a diamond in the rough and someone who would help anyone if they needed it. He had a lot of respect for life and people, but you wouldn't have wanted to cross him.

Tom's children called him dad until the grandkids came along, then they started always calling him Papa. Tom was such a joy to be around. He enjoyed sharing the funny bits of his life stories. His kids found joy in his ramblings.

Tom will be dearly missed. We all loved him so much. He touched the lives of many people.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Dottie Ilene Stuart (Torkelson); father, Dale Daniel Stuart; mother, Dorothy Beatrice Rhodes (Stuart); and cousin, Frank Truelove. 

He is survived by his brothers, Marvin (Andrea) Stuart, Rick Stuart, and Bud Stuart; cousins, Joe Haid and Mr. and Mrs. Ronny Reed; daughters, Dorothy (Buffy) Ilene Moore (Stuart), Dottie Lynn Stuart, and Anna Maie Stuart; sons, Daniel Wayne J. Stuart and Michael Alexander Stuart (Rundle); grandsons, Brandon (Monica) Michael Moore, Dwight Dean Moore, and Gabriel Lynn Moore; great-grandson, Jeremy Issac Moore; step-children, Anita (Don) Taylor (Torkelson), Dwayne Torkelson, and Rodney (Julie) Torkelson; and step-grandkids, Huston Torkelson, Shelby Torkelson, Jeff Torkelson, Alex Torkelson, Kim Taylor, Lisa Taylor, and Roy Taylor.

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