Thomas E. "Tom" Hilton, 60

Thomas E. "Tom" Hilton, 60, passed away Wednesday morning, Dec. 15, 2004, at the North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

He was born Nov. 25, 1944, in Ogden, Utah, to Walt and Helen Hilton. Tom was raised and educated in Portland. He graduated from Parkrose High School in Portland in 1963.

He was married to Mary B. Cullen in 1966 in Portland.

Tom graduated from Portland State University in 1970. He served in the Oregon National Guard.

He worked in the lumber industry for 34 years. He retired in 2004 after working the last 21 years with Plum Creek Lumber Co. as a lumber salesman.

Some of his favorite activities were spending time with family and friends, fly fishing, golf and traveling.

He held a special place in his heart for two foreign exchange students that he considered daughters, Lorena Miguel from Spain and Waka Hashimoto Blair from Japan.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Helen.

Tom is survived by his father and stepmother, Walt and Elda Hilton of Mesa, Ariz.; his wife, Mary Cullen Hilton of Columbia Falls; sons, Ryan Hilton and his wife, Mechele, and Kyle Hilton, all of Spokane; grandson, Stephen Hilton of Spokane; brother, Jerry Hilton of Portland; and mother-in-law Erma Cullen of Waldport, Ore.

A mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 20, at St. Richard's Catholic Church in Columbia Falls.

The family has suggested that memorials be made to Hospice.

Arrangements are by Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.