Thomas Whyte

Thomas C. Whyte - 02/01/2002 Thomas C. Whyte - 02/01/2002 THOMAS C. WHYTE IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Thomas C. Whyte, 72 died on January 31, 2002, at his home in Lincoln Court of natural causes. He was born March 24, 1929, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Thomas Low and Nell Carroll Whyte. He moved to Omaha Nebraska in 1941when his father was transferred with the Union Pacific Railroad. He began attending Creighton University in 1947 and graduated with a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Commerce in 1951. While attending Creighton University, he was a member of the basketball team during the 1947-48 and 1948-49 seasons. In 1951 he entered Creighton University Law School and received his LLB in 1954. While attending Creighton Law School, he joined the U.S. Army ROTC program and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant after completing law school. He attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant and served as legal officer for the 29th Infantry Regiment while stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia He married Eileen L. Billick, a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army assigned to the Army Hospital, on March 9, 1957 at Fort Benning and they moved to Idaho Falls. He was an insurance claims adjuster for four years before he began his law practice. He was admitted to Idaho State Bar in 1960. In 1968 he partnered with John Ferebauer and continued this business relationship until John Ferebauer’s death. Afterwards, he continued practicing law until 1999 when he retired. In addition to his private legal practice, he was a former Idaho Falls prosecuting attorney, a Bonneville County deputy prosecuting attorney, City of Idaho Falls Police Judge, President of the Seventh District Bar Association, member of the Idaho State Bar Professional Conduct Board, a member of the Eagle Rock Inns of Court, and a member of the Idaho State Bar Arbitration Panel. He was an involved member of the Idaho Falls community having been a former President of the Exchange Club, the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, and a member of the Idaho Falls Traffic Safety Commission from 1969 until 1999. Thomas was also an active member of the National Ski Patrol System for 33 years on the Pine Basin, Snow King and Kelly Canyon ski patrols. He was the Kelly Canyon Testing and Training Advisor, and served as the National Ski Patrol - Intermountain Division Legal Advisor for 25 years. He also served as Treasure of the John & Olive Adams Scholarship Foundation. He was an active member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, and at one time served as the Chairman of the Parish Council. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, having served as a past Grand Knight of the 3rd Degree, and a past Worthy Navigator of the 4th Degree. He was also a State Advocate for the Idaho Knights of Columbus. He is survived by his six children:Kathleen M. (J.D.) Finley of Littleton, Colorado;Colleen A. (Greg) Whyte of West Linn, Oregon;Thomas E. (Kim) Whyte of Highlands Ranch, Colorado;Daniel J. (Shawn) Whyte of Helena, Montana; Molly E. (Dave) Harker of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Michael J. (Tammie) Whyte of Idaho Falls, Idaho; and thirteen grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen, and his parents Thomas L. and Nell C. Whyte. Funeral Mass will be Monday, February 4, 2002 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church (9th & Lee) in Idaho Falls, with Father Michael St. Marie as Celebrant. A Vigil Service will be held Sunday, February 3, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home in Idaho Falls, followed by visitation with the family. Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Lincoln Court Retirement Community or Hospice of Eastern Idaho. [ Previous Obituary - Heland H. "Lynn" Hansen | Current Obituary | Next Obituary - Norman Lee Coates ]