Tom Boender, 83, of Story, Wyoming, peacefully entered the gates of heaven from the comfort of his home on Labor Day weekend, surrounded by the love of his family.

Thomas Abbott Boender was born on April 30th, 1943 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to John Abbott and Mary Elizabeth (Crafts) Boender. During the first part of his life, Tom lived in many different states traveling for his father’s job as a national cemetery caretaker. During his school aged years, the family found themselves residing in Grafton, West Virginia where Tom attributes many of his fondest memories. During his time in West Virginia, Tom’s love and appreciation for the outdoors blossomed, leading to the discovery of his lifelong passions: hunting and the western way of life. His love of horses began when he was gifted a Tennessee Walker by a school teacher, paving the way for the many beautiful horses he owned throughout his life and his vast knowledge of equine etiquette. Tom graduated high school in Roosevelt, Utah, and earned a bachelor's degree from Utah State University in Logan, Utah. During his time in Logan, he rented a small cabin in Logan Canyon, where his appreciation for hunting and the outdoors continued to grow. After college, Tom accepted a merchandising management position at Kmart in Ogden, Utah, where he met the love of his life, Janice Elaine Carlson. Tom and Jan relocated to California through a job transfer, where the couple married in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 5, 1970, during a cross country road trip. During their time in Oxnard, California, Tom and Jan welcomed their first child, John Thomas Boender in January, 1972. The small family moved states several more times through Tom’s upper management position with Kmart before accepting a new job in traveling sales and relocating to Cheyenne, Wyoming. While in Cheyenne, their daughter, Julia Ann Boender, was born in June of 1975. The four of them moved to a small ranch outside of Albin, Wyoming, and later settled in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming where John and Julie attended elementary and junior high. In 1987, Tom’s career moved the family to Park City, Utah, where he thrived as a regional manager for Intercraft Industries Corp. Using his merchandising expertise, Tom and Jan began a new, decade long venture. Together, they opened a high end gift shop, The Dancing Reindeer, on historic Main Street in Park City, Utah. They sold their gift shop shortly before the 2002 Olympics, where Tom entered a new career in transport, picking up tourists from the Salt Lake City International Airport and taking them to the numerous resorts in Park City. In 2007, Tom and Jan sold their house in Wanship, Utah, and moved to Story, Wyoming to be closer to their grandchildren. Story quickly became a safe haven for Tom. The quiet mountain town offered all the comforts of the outdoors that he had learned to appreciate so much. When retirement became too mundane for Tom, he began working in the gun department at Shipton’s Big R. He shared his vast knowledge of firearms with many people, and met some of his most cherished friends that he later considered family. In the last years of his life, Tom found great joy in procuring and refurbishing both vintage and newer leather gun accessories. He took pride in his booth at the local gun shows where he met many people, later turned friends. Tom had many passions in life, but his one true love was always hunting. He hunted North American big game, and became an avid trophy hunter. Tom spent time in many different states and numerous Northwest Territories in Canada, but he was always called back to the prairies and mountains of Wyoming. The walls of his home are a testament to his passion and endless hours spent in the great outdoors doing what he loved. He implemented his love of hunting into the lives of his children and grandchildren, and took great pride in the moments shared with them, wearing camo and orange. Tom took root in his faith after settling in Story, and his relationship with Jesus was strengthened through fellowship and testimony of the church he learned to love. His family takes comfort in knowing they will see him again.

Preceding Tom in death were his father, John, his mother, Mary, his infant, twin brother, Larry, his brother, William (Bill) Boender, and his grandson, Dylan Matthew Boender. Tom is survived by his loving wife, Jan, his children, John and Julie, his grandchildren, Madison (Tyler), Vivian, Carter, and Sedona, his brother, Dave (Nancy) Boender, and his sister-in-law, Rita Boender.

In lieu of flowers, donations to any North American big game foundation of your choice are appreciated.

A Service will take place at the Cowboy Church of the Big Horns on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 3:00 p.m., with a dessert reception to follow.

Champion Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with local arrangements.

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