Tommy "Tom" Buchholz, 60, of Helena, passed away Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008, in Meagher County as a result of an auto accident.

Tom was born Feb. 24, 1948, in Havre to Fred and Eileen Buchholz. He received a bachelor's of science in mathematics from Montana State University and worked as a computer systems administrator for the state of Montana for 34 years (July 1974 -- present) in the Mitchell Building of the Capitol Complex here in Helena.

Tom married Marleen Superneau on Dec. 16, 2003, in Helena. His passions were photography, bench-rest target shooting and military history. Tom was a loving husband and father, dedicated to taking care of his family and extremely hardworking no matter what he was doing.

Tom is preceded in death by his father, Fred Buchholz, and a brother, Phillip Buchholz. He is survived by his mother, Eileen Buchholz of Beach, N.D.; his wife, Marleen Superneau-Buchholz of Helena; a son, Don Buchholz of Colstrip; daughters, Christie McDowell and Brittany Buchholz, both of Helena; brothers, Fred Buchholz of Monroe, Wash., Jim Buchholz of Bullhead City, Ariz, and Dan Buchholz of Beach, N.D. Tom is also survived by a grandson, Brandon.

A memorial service celebrating Tom's life is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5, at the Retz Funeral Home Chapel. Cremation has taken place and his ashes will be spread in the Rocky Mountains, where he loved to spend as much of his free time as he could manage. Memorials in Tom's name are suggested to Citizens for Balanced Use, P.O. Box 606, Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730. To offer condolences to Tom's family or to share a memory of Tom, please visit www.mem.com.