Thomas Grant Louderback

Thomas Grant Louderback, 87, of Eagle, Idaho, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, May 1, 2026, surrounded by family.

Tom was born January 21, 1939, to Dan and Lucile in Pendleton, OR. He was the middle of five children—a family of boys completed by a baby sister.

His service in the Navy ignited a lifelong desire for adventure. He climbed pyramids and explored the Amazon while he traveled the world, visiting 6 of the 7 continents.

Tom faithfully served a two-year mission for the LDS Church in New York City. He remained a stalwart member and disciple of Jesus Christ. He willingly served his fellowman throughout his life.

In his early adult years, Tom worked for the Army Corps of Engineers, Boeing, and Union Pacific Railroad. His prime years were spent as a skilled electrician for Salt River Project in Arizona.

At the age of 28, while looking for a different kind of adventure, Tom found his match in Joellen. With his good looks, wit, and charm, he swept her off her feet in a whirlwind romance. After three dates—and one peach pie—he took her ring shopping. The rest is history.

She brought pure joy and three kids to the marriage, while he came as a practiced bachelor with a good heart and no parenting experience. Les, Kim, and Rhonda taught him about fatherhood in real time. Those early years were not always easy or fair, but they were an important part of his story and growth. Together, they added three more children—Lara, Danee, and Ben—completing a family of six and giving him even more opportunity to become the father he wanted to be. Doing what he believed was best for his family was the motivation behind all of Tom’s choices.

He protected, guided, and loved his family fiercely. He was hardworking, dependable, and a fighter in every sense—never hesitating to deter any prospective boyfriends who came around.

Tom was a solver of any problem. He was a talented artist and skilled with both his mind and his hands. He could make anything and fix anything.

Tom never stopped learning. He read daily and kept his mind engaged with puzzles and word games until just days before his passing.

His devotion to Joellen continued into their later years, where he labored tirelessly by her side as her attentive caregiver.

Tom looked forward to reuniting with Joellen, and once he understood the limitations of his mortal body—and that there was nothing more to be done—he went to her in peace.

Tom is preceded in death by his wife, Joellen; his parents, Dan and Lucile; and his brothers, Jim and Earl. Tom is survived by his brother Kenneth; his sister Beverly; and his children Les (Roxanne) Johnson, Kimberly (Melvin) Hughes, Rhonda (Landon) Loertscher, Lara (Shane) Elliott, Danee (Lee) DeLapp, Benjamin (Brooke) Louderback; 38 grandchildren; 67 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Services will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 2 p.m. at 2090 North Eagle Road, Eagle, Idaho, 83616, with a visitation beginning at 1 p.m. He will be laid to rest on May 14th at 1pm in the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.