Tomas Brian Gondek, 48

Tomas Brian Gondek, 48, passed away Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at his brother's home in Bonners Ferry.

Tom was born Dec. 1, 1959, in Wisconsin.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing while growing up with his dad and brother. Tom excelled in football, and track and field as a discus thrower and shot putter.

He worked in Alaska after high school, building cabins, fur trapping and hunting in the Alaskan wilderness.

Tom attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

He climbed Idaho's tallest mountain, Mount Borah, with his brother in 1977. He also hiked with his brother within the back-country of Yellowstone National Park, catching trout within the park streams and mountain lakes.

Tom loved his dog Cody; the Samoyed was his companion. He found Cody along the Wyoming Highway with a hurt right paw and brought him back to health.

Tom worked along the Alaskan coast in Nome, mining for gold.

He later lived in Sequim and Port Angeles, Wash., for almost 15 years. He drove taxi in Las Vegas and saved money to camp within the Pacific Northwest. He would fish and escape the Las Vegas summer heat before returning in fall and winter for cab driving.

Tom's passion was the outdoors, wildlife, fishing, hunting and caring for people.

Tom's last day was with his brother, Mike, hiking the Kootenai River gorge near Troy, Mont., with a limit of rainbow trout.

Tom went to be with the Lord and his father, Robert Gondek.

He leaves behind a brother, Michael Gondek; twin nephews Jesse and Danny Gondek of Bonners Ferry; his mother, Nancy Schilberg; stepmother, Susan Gondek; uncle, Gary Schilberg; aunt, Carol Schilberg; and cousins Gale, John, Jean, Lynn and Judy from Wisconsin, Mississippi and Texas.

Tom had a big heart and was always at peace with the outdoors and its beauty. He will be sadly missed by everyone.