Thomas James Deking

Thomas James DeKing passed away June 7th, 2020 in Lander, Wyoming after a lengthly illness. He was born December 29th, 1942 in Aurora, Illinois to Charles (Chuck) and Babe DeKing. He attended and graduated from high school at the Marmion Military Academy. After graduation he served in the US Army and was stationed in Germany from 1960-1963. He met his soon to be Wife and Mother of his four Children in 1963 after returning home from the service. Tom Married Mary Lou Assell on March 14, 1964, their first child was born in September of that same year. They resided in Aurora, Illinois at that time and together they had Four beautiful children; Thomas (Curly), Michael, Sheri, and Lori. The family then moved to Dagget, Michigan in 1977. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, which would influence him to move his family to a favorite hunting state he would take trips to with a few buddies from Michigan. In 1981, he and Mary Lou and their four Children moved to Milford, Wyoming. Tom enjoyed the great outdoors and hunting in each of the states he lived. Wyoming being the state that caught his heart. He loved hunting Elk, Moose, deer, and antelope, with his best hunt being that of a Big Horn sheep. He also enjoyed taking his boat to Boysen lake and catching Walleye and camping out there with his wife to take in the scenery he loved. He also liked to fish at Flaming Gorge in Utah. He turned his hobby into a business and owned and operated his well known Wild Game Processing at their residence in Milford, Wyoming for 30 years until his declining health closed the doors on the business.

He is survived by his Wife Mary Lou DeKing; son Curly and wife Tammy DeKing  of Michigan; Sheri DeKing of Lander, Wyoming; Lori Armajo of Lander,Wyoming; sister Carol; brother Dave; and 13 of his 14 Grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Chuck and Babe DeKing; Brother Chuck; his son Michael DeKing; grandson Clarence (BULL) Armajo, and a nephew Joseph Robinson.

He wished to be cremated. Due to the COVID-19 Virus the family will have a Celebration of Life Ceremony at a further date to honor his memory so many who knew him can attend.