Wayne Thomas Shoop

Wayne Thomas Shoop, 91, of Boyd, Montana passed away January 14, 2017 at Cedar Wood Healthcare Community in Red Lodge. Tom was born March 15, 1925 in Laurel, MT, the oldest child and son of Wayne Theodore and Charlotte VanNice Shoop.

In 1943, he graduated from Joliet High School, Joliet, MT and enlisted in the United States Army. He served as a private first class in World War II with the 1st Battalion, 417th Infantry Regiment, 76th Infantry Division, Third Army and saw action across Europe. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart.

He was employed for many years by Laurel Refinery, Laurel, MT.

He married Betty Lou Strand on September 12, 1948, they divorced in 1965, and she preceded him in death in 2011. He married Noma Elizabeth Bidwell Brandt in August 1966 and she preceded him in death in 1992. He married Leona M. Kent in the mid-1990s and they divorced several years later. His close friend and companion, June Regnier, preceded him in death in 2010.

In addition to Laurel, MT, he resided in Anaconda, MT and Aurora, CO and spent many happy years at his home, north of Red Lodge where he enjoyed many interests including hunting , camping, and building kit airplanes.

His parents, brother, Calvin Bruce Shoop, and sister, Cora Joyce Shoop Bettridge, preceded him in death. He is survived by three sons: Jeffrey Wayne Shoop and his wife, Lynn, of Dallas, TX, Samuel Bade Shoop and his wife, Barbara, of Billings, MT, Clinton John Shoop and his wife, Sherri, of Wisdom, MT; four grandchildren: Dusti Fay Lowndes and her husband, Michael, of Washington, D.C., Nathan John Shoop and his wife, Cathy, of Belgrade, MT, Matthew Lee Shoop of Seattle, WA, Anna Kate Shoop of Denver, CO; four great-grandchildren; a sister: Claire Leland of Billings, MT; a sister-in-law: Jacqueline Renner Shoop Sears, Pasco, WA; five nephews and four nieces.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the charity of your choice.

Cremation has taken place and graveside services at Yellowstone National Cemetery, Laurel, MT to be held later. Condolences may be sent online to www.smithfuneralchapels.com.