Thomas Wellman Sheehy, a long-time Wallowa area rancher, died Jan. 8, 2007, at Riverside Nursing Home in Missoula, Mont. He was 96.

Mr. Sheehy was born Jan. 14, 1910, in Great Falls, Mont. to Hugh F. and Helen Holbrook Sheehy. He moved to Oregon with his family in 1917. His family ranched at Durkee, near Baker City. He graduated from high school in 1927 from McLoughlin High in Milton-Freewater.

Mr. Sheehy served with the Navy from 1932 to 1936. He was assigned to the Battleship USS Nevada. He returned to service during World War II and participated in the Alaska campaign at Kodiak and Attu islands. During the Okinawa campaign he was an Advance Handling Party member. He attained the rate of Chief Storekeeper before discharge in October 1945.

Mr. Sheehy married Mary Margaret Black on Aug. 14, 1941, in Baker. Together they raised five children. A lifelong rancher and stockman, Mr. Sheehy lived on ranches in the Baker City and Ontario area.

In 1974 he and his wife moved to Wallowa where he continued to ranch. Upon his wife’s death in 2001 he moved to Missoula to live with his son.

Known as a man with a deep love of language, Mr. Sheehy published a book of poetry at the age of 89 featuring his original verse and illustrations. He based his poetry on his many years of ranching and his rich understanding of human nature gleaned from this experience. A self-taught scholar, Mr. Sheehy’s primary entertainment came from learning – whether through the discussion of his favorite poems or the explanation of a word’s origin. Every subject held interest for him.

An avid outdoorsman, the highlight of each year was the pack trip into the wilderness area with his children. He was an active member of his Catholic parish and a member of the Grange.

Mr. Sheehy was preceded in death by his wife Mary Margaret, sisters Helen and Ruth and brothers Hugh and Robert.

He is survived by his children Tom and wife Lanier, Mary Jane and husband Barney Eidson, Dennis and wife Marcia, Hugh and wife Barbara and Margaret Ann and husband Steve Hoffman; sister Mary, brother Richard and wife Darlene, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Services were held Tuesday, Jan. 16, at the St. Katherines Catholic Church in Enterprise, followed by burial at the Wallowa Cemetery and a dinner at the Wallowa Senior Center.

Contributions can be made to Partners Hospice, 2687 Palmers Street, Suite B, Missoula, MT, 59808 or Wallowa Memorial Hospital, 401 NE 1st, Enterprise, OR 97828.