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In Memoriam

Thomas Andrew "Tom" Champion - Class Of 1943

Thomas Andrew "Tom" Champion, son of Ralph Waldo (1886-1963) and Alice Irene (Madden) (1890-1984) Champion, was born 24 March 1925 Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan.  He graduated in 1943 from Okemos High School.  Tom was a World War II Army veteran.  On 24 April 1946 Parker County, Texas, Tom married Jean D. Glover.  He died 18 October 2011 Custer County, South Dakota.  Jean, born 23 September 1921 New York, died 2 December 2011 Custer County, South Dakota.

Unknown source:

                Thomas Andrew ‘Tom' Champion, age 85, passed away October 18, 2011, at his home near Custer, SD. Thomas A. Champion was born March 24, 1925, in Lansing, MI, to Alice (Madden) and Ralph Champion, and grew up on farm near Lansing.
                He joined the army in 1944 during WWII. He served at Normandy, was injured, and received the Purple Heart. He was a strong supporter of any organization that honors or supports veterans.
                He married Jean D. Glover on April 24, 1946, in Weatherford, TX. Tom and Jean lived in NY state, Oregon, and cowboyed in Arizona before moving to the Custer area in 1953. He worked at the Box Factory (an early business in Custer that built wooden boxes), and one of his best memories was working on the construction of Pactola Dam. Later Tom worked for the Forest Service, SD Highway Dept., and the City of Custer. After retirement, he drove school bus, then later started the TC Ranch Horsecamp, a campground for travelers with horses. They hosted campers from all over the US and were even featured on RFD TV as one of Tom Seay's Best of America by Horseback destinations. Dad's favorite part was visiting with the campers many of whom came back year after year and some even moved to the area.
                Tom was active in the VFW, American Legion, Hermosa Vol. Fire Dept., and supported scouting and baseball through his grandkids. Their home was always a gathering place for all, including STRAYS both two and four legged.
                Tom is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jean; daughter, Cheyenne Conry (Cliff) of Belle Fourche; son Cody Champion (Peggy) Rapid City; grandsons Travis Clarke (Tatianna) Oklahoma City, Thomas Roy Champion, Fort Hood, TX; granddaughter Shannon Champion, Rapid City, grandsons Levi Thomas Conry (Lindsy), Story, WY, Pastor Clay Conry (Miranda) Belle Fourche; and seven great-grandchildren, Steven, Magen, David, Braden, Cooper, Calvin, and Presley Jo.

Unknown source:

                Jean (Glover) Champion, September 23-December 2, 2011, passed away at the ranch near Custer, SD, following her husband, Tom, of 65 years, who passed away in October of 2011.
                Mom was born at Lindley, NY to Charles and Stella (Williams) Glover. She grew up and attended school in that area graduating high school at age 16.
                Mom lived (with her family) for a brief time in Florida and worked for Roe Bailey of Custer in the early 1940s. After meeting Tom at a horse sale in Fort Worth, TX, they married and lived in New York, Oregon and Arizona, before settling in the Custer area in 1953.
                Jean is survived by her son Cody (Peggy) Champion, Rapid City; daughter, Cheyenne (Cliff) Conry, Belle Fourche; grandchildren, Travis (Tatiana) Clarke, Oklahoma City; Levi (Lindsey) Conry, Story, WY; Shannon Champion, Rapid City; Clay (Miranda) Conry, Belle Fourche; Thomas Roy Champion, Fort Hood, TX; seven great-grandchildren, Steve; Magan; Cooper; Braden; David; Calvin and Presley Jo.