Funeral services for 78-year old Thomas (Tom) Faint are Sat, July 30, 2022 at 10:00 at the Harrison Bible Church in Harrison, NE, with Pastor Matt Parker officiating
Burial is at the Harrison Cemetery in Harrison.
A memorial has been established for the Champion Showman Award in each age group at the Sioux County Fair beef show. Donations may be left at the Security First Bank in Harrison or mailed to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337.
Online condolences may be left at chamberlainchapel.com
Thomas R. (Tom) Faint was born on February 6, 1944 in Iowa Falls, Iowa to Robert and Lucille (Heitland) Faint. He passed away on July 23, 2022 at home on the ranch in Sioux County, NE. with his family and his three loving caregivers by his side.
Tom attended Elementary School in Havelock, Blairsburg, and Webster City, IA, and graduated from Webster City High School in 1962.
He started showing pigs when he was 5 years old at the Waterloo, IA, Meat Animal Show. Later in 4-H, he and his older sister, Janice, showed pigs and steers at the local County Fairs and at the Iowa State Fair, while their younger sister, Penny, showed horses and steers.
At age 14, Tom rode with his steer in a cattle car on the train and showed him at the Chicago International Livestock Show.
He said they had a “sifting committee” that weeded down the entries to 35 steers per class and his steer stood 26th! Tom said it was an experience he never forgot and it sparked his love of the “big show”.
Tom served his country in the Air National Guard, and worked for various registered cattle outfits feeding and working with show cattle for 20-plus years.
He met Zanya (Geike) Oldaker when he moved to Harrison to work for Windy Acres Angus and were married on June 2, 1984.
Tom went to every major show across the United States, with the National Western Livestock Show in Denver his favorite.
The first time he went to the Denver Stock Show was in 1963 and he showed every year after that through 1986. Zanya’s father, Herb Geike, died that year and Tom decided to retire from the show road.
Tom used to say they couldn’t have the Denver Stock Show without him, so he and Zanya continued to go for many years as spectators and to see old friends. After a blizzard kept them home one year, he grudgingly decided they could have it without him!
Tom was named Herdsman of the Year in 1984 at the Western National Angus Futurity in Reno, NV, and made many good friends throughout the show road years. He stayed in contact with several for the rest of his life.
Tom and Zanya moved to the ranch after Herb’s death and they operated it until 2020, when Tom’s ALS progressed to the point he was forced to retire.
He had an eye for good cattle and was always improving their cow herd. They ran cows and yearlings until 2004 when they downsized. They sold the cows, but continued to buy calves to develop into yearlings. More than one auctioneer stated that Tom was the pickiest buyer they had!
Tom is survived by his wife, Zanya, sisters Janice Faint of Webster City, IA; and Penny (Rick) Brisbin of Lead, SD; nieces Jody (Craig) Poe and son Shane of Reno, NV; Jamie (Keiran) Breslin and son, Liam and daughter, Niah; sister-in-laws Twila (Kevin) Grote of Harrison and Julie (Barry) Matney of LaGrange, WY.; niece Nicki (Jay) Kittinger and daughter Josie of Harrison and nephew Wyatt Grote of Bismark, ND, as well as numerous cousins and friends.
Tom is also survived by three amazing, caring and compassionate caregivers: Naomi Pelster, Jessi Grote and Kelsey Tighe.
He was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law and mother-in-law Herb and Ruby Geike, and numerous other relatives.
Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron, NE. is in charge of arrangements.
Tom was one of the really good guys on the show road, in the cattle business world, and in life in general. It was a true privilege to know him and we are so grateful to have had him as our friend! Our deepest sympathy and prayers.