Thomas John Fagan

Thomas John Fagan

Thomas John Fagan 81, died Dec. 11, 1999, at Shepherd of the Valley Care Center with Madeline Fagan, his wife of 53 years at his side.

Tom was born in Casper on Sept. 13, 1918. His parents, Thomas Matthew Fagan and Josephine Fagan (nee Warner) were then residents of Lusk and Mrs. Fagan traveled to Casper to give birth to her son.

Tom was a veteran of WWII and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. A decorated veteran, Tom said the military taught him to stick to a job, saying, "I went in a buck private and came out a buck private."

Tom met his future wife, Madeline Irene Ladwig, in Lusk and the couple was married in Lusk at midnight on Sept. 6, 1946, at the foot of Hap Sankey's bed. Sankey had been hurt Bronc riding, and the men had a pact to be present at each other's wedding.

Tom tried his hand numerous business ventures. His innate ability to remember cards dealt, know what had to be left in the deck, and "figure the odds," helped support his family between roughnecking in Wyoming oil fields and driving trucks for Fagan Bros. Trucking.

On his return from the military, Tom earned his private pilot's license. He kept his flying to a minimum, and let his license lapse, possibly because those fortunate enough to fly with him once vowed never to do so again.

In January 1952, even though the semester had already begun, Tom took his family to Laramie to re-enter the University of Wyoming and the College of Law. Tom had decided to follow in the footsteps of his father, who had been a well respected attorney in Niobrara County. He graduated first in his class on Dec. 15, 1954, and opened his fledgling law practice in Lusk on May 2, 1955.

Tom and his brother Jim formed Fagan & Fagan Attorneys in July of 1955, following Jim's graduation from law school. After a brief period in which the brothers maintained offices in both Lusk and Casper, Fagan & Fagan Attorneys consolidated their practice in Casper in December of 1956.

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