Thomas Joseph McDermott, 101 years old, passed away May 13, 2024, at Brookdale Assisted Living, Apache Junction, AZ, where he would say in the dining room every morning, "They have the best breakfast on this side of Heaven!". He was born at Mud Butte, SD, to Jack and Bridgette (Fox) McDermott. Tommie was the nineth of eleven children. They were raised on Homestead Act land in Meade County. His family helped build the first Catholic Church in the area. Tommie was a devout Catholic in the later years of his life. Every day at 3 p.m. he would pray, read his Bible and Prayer Book.

Tommie had many jobs throughout his life. One of his jobs was herding sheep for his dad, something he would do throughout his lifetime. He owned the "old" Mud Butte Store and worked as a shepherd at the McDermott Ranch, Heston Ranch, and other ranches in the area. Tom was also a bus driver, bartender, equipment operator for the County, maintaining country roads and custodian at Sturgis Brown High School retiring in 1985.

Tom and Betty became snowbirds traveling to TX, and AZ camping. They loved the desert and settled in Mesa, AZ, at Valley Del Aro and enjoyed the Superstition Mountains. Betty enjoyed all sorts of activities while Tom golfed with his best friend, Bob Daane. Tom played his last round of golf with his son-in-law, Bill, grandson, Peter, and great grandson, Jack, at the Sturgis Golf Course when he was 94 years old. In Tom's last days, he still remembered the fun they had playing together.

Tommie was a great socializer and storyteller. He claimed to have a "whisp of truth" to all his stories. Tom lived an adventurous and colorful life. He leaves behind daughter, Velvalie (Bill), Gold Canyon, AZ; and sons, Mick McDermott, CO/AZ, Jerry McDermott (Deborah), Gold Canyon, AZ; and daughter-in-law, Connie McDermott Hawley, Spearfish, SD.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, son, Jack McDermott, granddaughter, Penny Bristol, and ten siblings, John, Owen, Mary, Margaret, Rose, Pierce, Emmit, Eddie, Agnes, and Baby Turnes, as well as his parents, John and Bridgette McDermott.

Celebration of Tom's life will be at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 1049 Howard St., Sturgis, SD 57785, on Friday, July 19th, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.

Kinkade Funeral Chapel located at 1235 Junction Ave, Sturgis, SD, 57785, is in charge of the arrangements for the Celebration of Life and burial at the Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, SD

Tom and Betty's family wish to "Thank" their former residences caregivers for their great loving care while they lived at Aspen Grove Assisted Living, Sturgis, SD, and most recently, Brookdale Assisted Living in Apache Junction, AZ.

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