Tom Kantor crossed over Monday, September 25, 2023. He was 76 years of age at the time of his death. Tom died of a massive coronary after an extended illness. His celebration of life will be a private family service and burial will follow in Highland Cemetery in Casper.
His favorite saying was "Glad to have met you in this life." He meant it. Tom loved Chevrolets. He knew in the end there are those who liked him, loved him, and hoped they all respected him.
Tom was born in Kemmerer, Wyoming to John and Julia Kantor on January 29, 1947. He was raised in a coal-mining community and graduated from Fremont County Vocational High School in Lander, Wyoming in 1965. Tom attended Northwest Community College in Powell, Casper College and the University of Wyoming in Laramie.
Tom married Linda Johnson on October 26, 1968 in Lander, Wyoming. They were married for 54 years.
He worked in Lander and rebuilt the trail from Dickinson Park past Cathedral Lake and Valentine Pass toward Grave Lake using mules, dynamite, picks and shovels. Tom discovered the lost Windows of the World (WOW) location which has a natural occurring 15-foot circle through solid granite rock, overlooking Indian Ridge in the Wind River Mountains above Lander.
Tom served six years with the Wyoming National Guard as a combat Engineer, Staff Sergeant. He had a career in mining and construction with Western Nuclear Uranium, Atlantic City Ore Operations, and Cordero Mining, in Gillette, Wyoming. Tom was MSHA certified for High-Medium-Low voltage. Tom was also a state and city-certified Master Electrician and Master of Record for the city of Casper, Wyoming. Tom worked for Modern Electric, City Electric, Apollo Electric and Anchor Electric. He was a member of the I.B.E.W. and served as Shop Steward. He always promoted "union first" principles.
Tom's interests included hunting, fishing, basketball, Tai Kwon Do and boxing. He was an accomplished, self-taught elk-antler carving artist with a business called the Circle K. Tom promoted scouting and the outdoors and was also an Eagle Scout.
He served as Vice-President, managing Herbs By Design for his wife Linda for over 32 years.
Survivors include his loving wife and best friend Linda of Casper, Wyoming. Children include two daughters, Kim K. Kantor and Lily Amber Balas, and son Tom Jared Kantor, all of Casper, Wyoming.
At the end of Tom's life, he asked the question: "Was it worth it?" and he felt deeply that it was and knew he had a great run at life.
In lieu of flowers or plants Tom's family requests direct donations be made to the Casper Humane Society in his name.
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