Thomas E. 'Tom' Dryden, 69

Thomas E. "Tom" Dryden, 69, passed away, at his home, on Tuesday, April 10, 2007, after a long battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 14, 2007, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 620 Schweitzer Cutoff Rd., in Sandpoint, Idaho. The services will be under the direction of President Russ Hiatt; interment will follow at Pack River Cemetery in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Friends may pay their respects on Friday afternoon, from 1-6 p.m., at Coffelt Funeral Service in Sandpoint.

Tom was born Sept. 15, 1937, in Wendell, Idaho, the son of Edgar C. and Lucile (Francis) Dryden. He was the oldest of five children. He grew up on a ranch where he learned the value of hard work and worked hard his entire life.

Tom graduated from Jerome High School in 1955. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Northern States Mission (Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and upper Michigan) from December 1958 through December 1960. He also served six years in the National Guard.

In 1966, Tom graduated from Brigham Young University. That September, he accepted a teaching position for the Bonner County School District as a physics teacher.

Having been only as far north as Lewiston, Idaho, previously, he loved beautiful North Idaho and stayed for the next 41 years. He taught 30 years at the Sandpoint Senior High School, mainly biology but some math and earth science. He retired in June 1996. He also taught early morning seminary for 12 years for the church.

On Aug 18, 1967, he married Kathleen Peine in the Idaho Falls Temple. They had six wonderful children.

Tom was active in the Boy Scouts of America. He helped organize the 1984 Scout Jamboree at Farragut, being in charge of the Native American Section. He attended Wood Badge and Tom, and his family, attended Philmont in 1981.

Tom was a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints his entire life and held many callings. He was always willing to serve. He loved genealogy and has compiled many books of family history.

Tom enjoyed nature, camping, anything about airplanes and even made beautiful quilts after proving to his wife that corners can match — exactly! He had a great sense of humor and loved his family and doing activities with them.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and first daughter Deanna Marie in Jan. 1973. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen; his five children: Darin (Kim), Bryan (Julie), Kellie, Gregory, and Damon; ten grandchildren; his three sisters, and his brother.

Family and Friends are invited to sign Tom's online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.