Obituary of Thomas Clay Livingston
After an extended visit to the Brooks Hospital sub-acute care unit, and a few peaceful weeks at his Matziwin Creek residence, Thomas Clay Livingston passed away on March 1, 2022. Many thanks to Tom’s dedicated care givers.
Tom Livingston was born October 10, 1928 in Lethbridge, Alberta to Clay and Dorothy Livingston. As a youth, he spent countless hours on various ranching operations in southern Alberta and later in Montana. During WWII, when Tom was 15 years old, he signed on as a cowpuncher with the George L. Stringham outfit near Milk River, Alberta. He stayed with the ranch 3 long winters, and developed many lasting relationships. One of the Stringham sons, Bryce, later hired Tom to manage the 700,000-acre Chilco Ranch in central British Columbia. Those who knew Tom well would spend many hours at his Duchess residence viewing slides taken with his vintage 1949 Argus Cintar Coated camera. These marathon slide viewing sessions included over 1000 slides, featuring highlights of working life on the numerous cattle ranches Tom had worked for and managed.
Tom’s father Clay was born in Wathena, Kansas in 1901, and his great-grandfather Henry J. Tennant was born in Poonamallee, Madras, India in 1839 and served in the Crimean War. Tom joined the US Army in 1950, and proudly served in the Korean Conflict. The Republic of South Korea honored Tom’s service by sending him a commemorative plaque and military medal of honor in 2018.
Tom spent many years in service to his community, and developing capacity in the Newell County Eastern Irrigation District, the Duchess Agricultural Society, Brooks Parish Council, Knights of Columbus, provincial and federal Cattle Commission, and various Conservative Party positions. For several years, Tom made a tremendous impact on land use litigation and compensation issues with the Alberta Surface Rights Federation, both as a consultant and a board member. The Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame inducted Tom in 2008, and described him as “representing the epitome of grass roots leadership”.
Tom was pre-deceased by son Clayton, and parents Clay and Dorothy. He is survived by his brother, Edward, and his wife Elaine. Mourning his loss are his and Nadene’s daughters, Kathryn and Rebecca, son John (Lisa), 13 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, Elaine’s son Rod (Wendy), daughter Diane, and their children & grandchildren. When you find yourself in big sky country, looking beyond the barbed wire, you will know you are in Tom’s country.
May your snowfalls be light, and your horse sure-footed. Happy trails, and so long for now.
Funeral Service will be held on Friday, March 4, 2022 at 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Brooks, AB. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, March 4, 2022 at 2:00 pm at the Duchess Community Hall in Duchess, AB.
For further information, to light a memorial candle or to leave a message of sympathy, please visit www.thomsfuneralhome.com or call (403) 501-1010.
