Thomas Loudin

Thomas Nelson Loudin Sr.

Born March 26th, 1932 in Beattyville Kentucky to Chester Arthur and Isa Belle Loudin.  Passed peacefully with family at his side on June 21, 2019.

Raised in Kentucky he joined the Air Force and was trained as an aircraft mechanic specialist. He was stationed at Fairchild AFB when he fell in love with the Northwest.  Throughout his life he experienced many different lines of work. Flying Sea Planes over Lake Coeur d’Alene, Crop dusting in South Dakota and long-haul trucking, driving to and through most of the lower 48 states.  He then became a Millwright and then an electrician. He then retired from Idaho Vaneer in Post Falls.  Although he never really retired he was always eager to help others, or he would spend time at the equipment auction buying and then later selling items.  You never knew what piece of equipment would show up on the property!

He loved to hunt, and the family spent the summer’s scoping out next falls’ hunting spot, usually up the St. Joe River. He enjoyed most outdoor activities including rafting down the river, motorcycle trips, four wheeling and even golf which he loved and was quite good at, according to him!

He was a very active member of the Lions Club, including Post Falls, and Rathdrum clubs and helped start the Hauser Lake club.  He held Lifetime memberships with the American Legion in Post Falls and Chandler Arizona, he was also a member of The Eagles in Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls. He was a life endowment member of the N.R.A.

He married Donna Brooks in 1953 and they were blessed with 7 children, 6 sons and 1 daughter.  They lived in Coeur d’Alene until the spring of 1969 when they were lucky enough to move onto 80 acres in Post Falls.  They divorced after 27 years of marriage.  Later he met Arlene Mattson Nickerson and they were together for over 20 years when they married in 2007.   He had the good fortune to gain 3 more daughters and a son when he met Arlene.

He loved to visit and share his many adventures especially of travelling the states, hunting and his love of airplanes.  Many evenings were spent playing cards especially “Hand and Foot” where the evenings would turn into watching the sun come up.

Preceded in death by his parents, brother Bill and sisters Marie, Ruby, and Virginia.

Tom is survived by his wife Arlene, his sister Emma Jo Phillips and brother Jack, his children, Thomas Jr.(Kathy) Post Falls, Diane(Bruce)Smith Coeur d’Alene, Chester(Debbie) Belfair, WA, Gerald Fairbanks, AK, Mark(Dalton Gardens), Mike(Jill), and Patrick(Laurie)Belfair, WA.

Step Children, Ken(Susan), New Mexico, Sue(Gary) Harms, Sandra(Jay) Foster Coeur d’Alene, Shelly(Mark)Brown Coeur d’Alene

His legacy also includes 30 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and, 1 great great granddaughter

A Celebration of Life will be held at the American Legion 143: 1183 E. Poline Ave. Post Falls, Idaho, from 5-7pm on July 10th.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Legion post 143.