Legacy INDUCTEE

THOMAS EDWARD “TOM” LANE (1929 – 2011)

DISTRICT 9 - YEAR 2025

Thomas E. Lane was born in Three Forks, Montana, on December 4, 1929, where he spent his childhood on the idyllic banks of the Jefferson River. Growing up in a family of four children, Lane developed a strong work ethic and a passion for cattle, which would come to shape his future endeavors. After completing his early education in the one-room Lane School in Three Forks, Tom graduated as the salutatorian from Holy Rosary Catholic School in Bozeman before attending Montana College of Agriculture and Mechanic Art. Accompanying his cattle-trading father on many trips, Tom made his first major cattle deal as a senior in high school. After the purchase of 17-cent calves, the seller told him, “Write that down in your “book” kid, because you will never see them that high again.” Throughout his life, Tom proceeded to write down countless deals in that book, while brokering deals in Montana and neighboring states. 

Despite being only a few credits shy of graduating from college Tom’s path shifted when he found success in sheep trading, prompting him to leave school and pursue a full-time career in livestock trading. His time at the S&H Cattle Company in Sidney, Montana further honed his business skills and connections in the cattle industry. Tom was appointed to the Montana Board of Livestock and was active in the Montana Stockgrowers Association among many other local and state organizations and governing boards.

Based out of the family homestead in Three Forks, Tom and his brother Bob worked to put additional cattle on grass and began to expand their property holdings whenever they came across a suitable deal on land. Tom is grateful for the strong support he received from the local community early in his career. Looking back, he recalls how people, who had experienced the tough times of the Depression era, really wanted others to do well. Tom and his brother were supported with guided advice and property deals, which not only provided practical help but also built resilience and a sense of community, influencing their ranching legacy. Tom relayed to Lewis Hagen in a Sinclair Cattle Company newsletter. Trading land and cattle while hanging on during the ups and downs of the agricultural business, the brothers eventually bought the Murphy Ranch outside of Livingston in 1972, where Tom and his wife Mary relocated. “Mary and I had six kids, Bob and his wife, Carole Ann, had four. So, we thought we ought to scatter them out a bit.” Thus began Tom’s accumulation of property and ranches throughout Montana which were passed down and developed into family-run enterprises. Tom and Mary’s four sons each operate ranches near Livingston, Cascade, Harlowton and Ismay, Montana. Their two daughters also own ranching property and successful businesses.  

While Tom's success is proof of his hard work, his love for speed and taking risks is equally notable. His heavy foot on the accelerator and his larger-than-life persona were legendary. When he was recovering from a broken arm, he enlisted his teenage daughter Catherine to drive him to South Dakota so he could look at cattle. Along the way he just couldn't resist urging her to go faster than the speed limit allowed. 

Tom often remarked that his success was attributed to hard work and Mary, who was his number one supporter throughout their 51 years of marriage. She made life easier for him to be away by managing their household of six children. Tom's direct sense of humor was apparent to all, including his son Jim, who once asked him how much land he owned. In which, Tom replied, "Enough to keep you busy." Tom’s youngest son, Bill, shared a personal recollection of his father holding his daughter while reading the Western Ag Reporter out loud to her. It was a rare glimpse of Tom’s softer side. 

On January 30, 2011, while returning home from looking at cattle, Tom was killed in a car accident. He was 82 years young. At Tom’s funeral, Daniel Brooke shared a quote from his grandfather E.M. Brooke about the days they shipped their calves, saying “He was sure a hurricane had struck as Tommy roared through the ranch in Pony.” For Tom, playing it safe wasn't an option. He took calculated risks with the market, traded properties, and gambled on many loads of calves he sold. Tom took great pleasure in making deals, quite often based off the flip of a coin. As he once said, "If I made money on every deal, I let too many go by."

Tom’s life stands as a testament to the importance of hard work, dedication, and a willingness to take those calculated risks in life. As a highly respected figure in the cattle trading industry, he left an enduring impact on his family and community. In his later years Tom had expressed a desire to be remembered as an eagle, when his present life was fulfilled. In the fall of 2011, ironically during shipping season, an eagle was present on every ranch they loaded cattle out of. His family believes Tom was soaring high above, observing his legacy and the people he cared for.

Photo by Tina Haines