Thomas Lawrence Sullivan

Thomas Lawrence Sullivan used up the last of his nine lives on February 11, 2026, passing away peacefully at home in Billings, Montana, at the age of 78.

Born on February 5, 1948, in Casper, Wyoming, to Dennis and June Sullivan, Tom grew up in Midwest, Wyoming. Much of his childhood was spent alongside his younger brother, Bobby, exploring, causing just enough trouble to keep things interesting, and occasionally testing the limits of both patience and good judgment based on stories of fires, questionable break-ins, and a few unfortunate encounters between Tom and his father’s cars. Despite his mischievous streaks, he was a loyal and protective older brother to his sister Susie.

Tom excelled in sports, holding records and honors in football, basketball and track. In high school, he was crowned Snowball King and Mr. Midwest – honors that provided his family with endless teasing material for the rest of his life.

Tom was married twice. During his first marriage, he and Debbie Steele welcomed their son, Thomas Bret, who passed away in 1974 at the age of six, a loss Tom carried quietly but likely deeply. He later married Sherry Anderson, and together they welcomed daughter Dawn and son Dennis.

An electrician by trade, Tom built a life with his hands. A position with Amoco brought his family to Powell, Wyoming, in 1980. Pending his divorce, Tom relocated in 1998 to Billings, where he worked for Ace Electric until his retirement in 2010.

Tom loved all things golf. During his playing years, he proudly shot two hole-in-ones at the golf course in Powell. He rarely missed a professional tournament, even if it meant waking in the middle of the night to watch the British Open or staying inside all day to catch the Masters while on vacation in Mexico. One of his fondest memories was attending the final day of the 2008 US Open with Dawn and Denny and viewing the sudden death match between Tiger and Rocco at Torrey Pines. In later years, tournaments were best enjoyed from his couch, Budweiser in hand, with his beloved pups, Bubba Louie and Birdie, by his side.

Though full of mischief, Tom was all heart. He had a quick wit, a generous spirit, and loved having a good time. He developed and maintained close friendships throughout his life. He loved his family, and they loved him deeply in return.

Tom was preceded in death by his father Denny (the OG Bushy), his mother June, and his son Tommy.

Tom is survived by his daughter Dawn Sullivan and her husband Colin Waller of Seattle, son Dennis Sullivan and his wife Megan of Santa Ana, grandchildren Ila and Hattie Waller of Seattle and Kelley and Jesse Sullivan of Santa Ana, brother Bob Sullivan and his wife Sandi of Billings, sister Susie Sowers and her husband Mike of Casper, and many nieces and nephews, all of whom will carry forward his humor and love of a good story and a good time.

A celebration of life will be held on August 7, 2026 at 4 PM at the Meadowlark Ski Lodge, located between Ten Sleep and Buffalo in the Big Horn Mountains. Please contact Dawn (dawnrsullivan@gmail.com) or Denny (dsullivanstudio@gmail.com) for additional details.

In lieu of flowers or donations, it would be far more fitting to drink a Budweiser, eat a chili dog, play a round of golf, or put a quarter in a slot machine in T Sully’s honor.