Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884

Albert "Tom" Thomas Rothleutner

Albert "Tom" Thomas Rothleutner was born March 15, 1936, to Albert and Helen Rothleutner in Douglas, Wyoming. He moved to a ranch near Dewey, South Dakota, at an early age and worked it with his parents, brothers and sister. He graduated from high school in 1955.

He married Vonda Linton in 1959. They moved to Douglas in 1960 and then made their home in Upton, Wyoming, in the early sixties.

Tom worked at various jobs before they opened T&R Automotive with partner Royal Bock.  They became sole owners in the early '70s and ran the business until the early 2000s. Tom and Vonda had six children and raised them in Upton.

Tom joined the Upton Fire Department in the early '70s and was involved in the department until just recently. He became Upton Fire 4 and worked tirelessly to improve the department. He fought national fires from Alaska to New Mexico and was dispatched to help with Hurricanes Katrina and Ivan.

He was a bus driver for the school for many years. He volunteered for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and 4-H. He helped start the Upton Gun Club in 1983 and was an active member until his death.

He helped start Old Town. He was Wyoming's Worker of the Year in 1998. He was Upton's Citizen of the Year in 2000. He served on the Wyoming State Fire Advisory Board for several years.

In 2008, he married Naomi and enjoyed some retirement years. He passed away on December 25, 2022.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Vonda; brother, Smokey; and sister, Helen. He is survived by his wife, Naomi; children, Elena (Gary) Mellor, April Rothleutner, Genell Rothleutner, Joy (Steve) McNutt, Rick Rothleutner, Andy (Margaret) Rothleutner; brother, Max Rothleutner; sister-in-law, Ivy (Jack) Birdsall; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be January 6, 2023 at 2 p.m. in the Upton Elementary School Auditorium. Graveside services will follow at Upton's Greenwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Upton Fire Department, Upton Gun Club or Weston Co. Fire Protection District. Condolences can be mailed to Rick Rothleutner, Box 291, Upton, WY 82730.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Roberts & Isburg Funeral Chapel of Sundance. Online condolences may be written at http://www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com