Thomas Ralph LaMont

Thomas “Tommy” Ralph Lamont, beloved husband, dad, grandpa, outdoorsman, dog-breakfast-sharer, and occasional furniture redecorator, passed away leaving behind a lifetime of laughter, stories, and a few mysteries—most notably, whether that hole in the dining room table will ever truly be “fixed.”

Tommy was married to the love of his life, Sheryl, who firmly believed he was the cutest man alive—and anyone who saw the way he looked at her knew she might just be right. Together they built a life full of adventure, starting in Blue Earth and Frost, Minnesota, before heading south to Mt. Ida, Arkansas in 2015, where Tommy quickly made himself at home among the lakes, woods, and campgrounds he loved so much.

From the very beginning, Tommy marched to the beat of his own drum. As a child, his dad insisted on calling him “Jeff,” which led to a slightly confusing start in school—Tommy simply didn’t respond when teachers called his actual name. This was only the first hint that Tommy would live life in his own wonderfully unique way.

He had a gift for making people feel safe and loved—especially his children and grandchildren, whom he rocked to sleep while singing in a way only Tommy could. He also extended that same love to his loyal breakfast companions—Rebel, Festus, and Cletus, his cherished puppy dogs. Morning meals were a shared event: one bite for Tommy, one bite for the boys… and repeat, with a system that worked just fine for everyone involved (except maybe anyone watching).

Tommy loved a good adventure, especially if it involved Louisiana. Trips to New Orleans and Breaux Bridge for the Crawfish Festival were among his favorites, and no visit was complete without a swamp boat ride, where he could take in the scenery with his signature mix of curiosity and style.

A skilled marksman, Tommy was a former state champion in registered trap shooting—though his backyard squirrel-hunting career had… mixed results. In one unforgettable moment, he managed to shoot a hole straight through the top of Sheryl’s table, then cleverly (or so he thought) covered it with a table runner. The secret lasted nearly a month. Today, that table has become something of a family heirloom, with ongoing discussions about who will inherit “the hole.”

Tommy spent 40 years working at Darling International, a testament to his dedication and work ethic. But when he wasn’t working, he was most at peace outdoors—especially in Hot Springs, camping, cruising Lake Ouachita on a pontoon, or enjoying a day at Oaklawn Racetrack cheering on the horses. Spring and fall were his favorite seasons, marking the time for hunting duck, geese, pheasant, and deer, followed closely by treasured walleye openers on Dean & Dorie’s dock at Spirit Lake in Iowa.

A man of faith, Tommy was Lutheran by upbringing and later attended local Methodist churches in Mt. Ida, always carrying his beliefs with quiet strength.

Tommy is preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Dorothy Lamont; his siblings Alvin Lamont, Trisha (Bob) Teitz, Joanne (Mike) Douglas, and Jody Lamont; his in-laws Milt King, Darwin Spencer, Randy Cox, and Dean Oswald.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Sheryl Oswald LaMont; his children, Renae (Rory) Hueper and Jeff (Janae) LaMont; his siblings Shirley King, Darlene Cox, David (Jean) LaMont, and Tim LaMont; his grandchildren Laura (Byran) Armendariz, Jamis (Emma) Hueper, Aubrey (Tate) Hueper, and Zoey Anderson; his great-grandsons Cassiel Vechinski, Jamison Hueper, and Emerson Hueper; his mother-in-law Theodora Oswald; his brothers-in-law Dennis (Sandy) Oswald and John Oswald; his sister-in-law Deb (Bob); and many nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved dearly.

Tommy will be remembered for his humor, his big heart, his love of family, and his ability to turn everyday moments into stories that will be told for generations. Whether he was sharing breakfast, chasing squirrels, singing lullabies, or cruising across the water, Tommy did it all with a spirit that was unmistakably his.

In the end, Tommy leaves behind a simple legacy: love deeply, laugh often, share your breakfast, and if you make a hole in the table… just cover it up and hope for the best.

Honorary pallbearers will be REBEL, FESTUS, and CLETUS.

Visitation with Family will be held at Gross Funeral Home, Chapel, 120 Wrights St, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71913, on April 18, 2026, from 9:00 am to 10:00 am.

A Celebration Tommy's Life will be held at Gross Funeral Home, Chapel, 120 Wrights St, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71913, on April 18, 2026, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.