In Memory ~ McCawley, Tom

 

Thomas E. McCawley, 80, of Gillette, died Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at home, surrounded by family after a difficult battle with cancer.

Tom was born Feb. 14, 1943, in Seneca, Nebraska, to Clifford and Mildred McCawley and grew up in Alliance, Nebraska.

As the youngest of five children, he was often overlooked, but made up for it in many ways over the years. He was self-described as sweet, charming, quiet and shy.

Mr. McCawley met Stephanie Schwindt and the two married shortly after she graduated high school in 1966 when the couple moved to Douglas, Wyoming, where he worked for KN Energy, opened and ran the Daylight Donut shop and Hawkeye Dry Cleaners. He later worked as a journeyman electrician. The couple had three children.

Mr. McCawley met Linda K. Cheney and they were married May 24, 1996, in Garland, Wyoming, when he gained three children.

Their family moved to Gillette in May 1998. Upon retiring in 2009, the couple sold various products including Linda Kay’s Caramel Kitchen established in 2010.

Mr. McCawley enjoyed tinkering, yard work, fishing, archery, hunting, friends, games and telling jokes with no one laughing harder than he. He never met a stranger. He would lend a helping hand and leave you with a smile.

Tom is survived by his wife, Linda K. McCawley; children, T.J. McCawley, Genia Bone, Erin McCawley, Joel Cheney, Karly Werner, and Scott Cheney; five grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, John, Dale, and Darrell McCawley, and Helen Rowcliff; and infant siblings, Joanne and Harold McCawley.

Services will take place at a later date.

This was Tom's information in our 50th reunion booklet:

McCawley, Tom

Spouse ~ Linda

4004 Force Road

Gillette, WY  82718

307-689-2008

temccawley43@yahoo.com

C ~ son & two daughters; step C (daughter & two sons)

G ~ five (all boys)

After graduating, I went to work in Rockford, IL while staying with an older brother.  Upon returning to Alliance, I began working for Kansas Nebraska Gas Co. After one year, I was transferred to Douglas, WY (6-6-66).  I remained working for KN for over 11 years.  I lived in Douglas for 26 years.  In that time period, I was married and divorced.  After leaving KN, I owned & operated Daylight Donuts and Hawkeye Dry Cleaners.  We lost our businesses due to an arsonist. 

I changed vocations and went back to school ~ got my Journeyman Electrician’s license. I traveled to many places and states, including Alaska, to work on power plants, refineries, chemical plants, gold mines, coal mines, commercial buildings, etc.

I remarried 15 years ago.  I am proud of all my children and step children.  Our son in Longmont CO has two sons, our oldest daughter in Casper WY has two sons and our daughter here in Gillette WY has one son.  We're hoping for a granddaughter someday.  I moved to Gillette, WY in 1998.  I retired in 2009.  Since then I remodeled our basement.  I enjoy fishing when time allows; still enjoy dancing and some roller skating.  I still own the old 1940 Ford Coupe (I learned to drive in it with my older brother, Dale.)  Currently, my wife, Linda, and I are embarking on a new business adventure.  We're marketing our products at fairs and festivals throughout the US.  This allows us to travel, spend time with friends and family, as well as make new friends along the way.  Check out our website for Crazy Raisins ~ http://www.crazyraisins.com/