Tom Tafel Keison, 70

On Aug. 31, 2020, Tom Tafel Keison graduated from this life and moved on to the next. Tom, age 70, of Hayden Lake, Idaho, died of natural causes. He was born in Spokane, Wash., during the baby boom following World War II, to Virginia and Tafel Keison. He graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1967.

Tom loved the outdoors. He often went hunting, fishing and camping with his friends. He helped build a pontoon boat in his early 20s. This boat would eventually become the kitchen of his beautiful, three-level cabin that he built in Hayden Lake, with the help of his friends. As his love of the outdoors grew, he started his own logging company. He logged for many years, supplying raw materials for homes and businesses across the Northwest. He groomed the ski runs at Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort in the offseason. In his later years, Tom focused on shipping. Tom’s trucking company shipped lumber from northern Idaho to other areas around the Northwest. Even during the time of Tom’s hospitalization, he had a couple of drivers still working for him.

Tom was a kind and generous man. He was a loyal friend, always ready to lend a hand and quick to share a joke or two. His friends could tell you how to cook toilet paper or what BLTs were. One of his best friends was his stepdad, John Cobley, who married his mother in the '70s. John was a Kootenai County Sheriff’s deputy. This friendship would later lead to many good friends in law enforcement. Everyone looked up to Tom. He was big in stature, and in heart.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, Tafel Keison; his mother and stepfather, Virginia and John Cobley; and four of his mother’s sisters: Helen Cheatham, Marge Cheatham, Lucille Horn and Betty Spigler. He is survived by his sister, Patricia Timothy and his brothers, Bill Johnson and Jay Johnson. Tom was a member of a large and loving family. He leaves behind his Aunt JoAnne Dobson, seven nieces and nephews, as well as many great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins. Tom is the first of 13 grandchildren of Jay and Nina Cheatham to pass away. He was a hardworking, and funny friend and relative who will be greatly missed. His sense of humor, his smile and his deep voice will be remembered. God be with you, till we meet again … at which Tom would reply, 10-4.

A celebration of life will be held at a future date due to COVID-19 precautions. If you would like to be notified of the date for the celebration of life for Tom Keison, please email Mike Timothy at mltimothy@cox.net

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local Humane Society in memory of Tom’s love of dogs, especially his longtime companion, “Mizz.”

The family wishes to extend a big Thank You to Tom’s friend and caregiver, Elfie.