Vechnak, Tommy Ray

Joe V and family, I was so sad to read this morning of the passing of Tommy. He was a very down to earth person, who I enjoyed shooting pool and playing golf with. He was a gentleman and always had a smile to share! You guys are in Sandra's and I thoughts and prayers.

To the family of Tom Vechnak, who played on my Pool Team "Gunners" he was a pleasure to play pool with him. I was saddened when he called and told me he wouldn't be able to play on my team this year. Also my wife remembers him because he likes knick knacks she has gnomes. Sorry for your loss he was a very pleasant man. Our prayers and thoughts are with your family. John and Anita Gonzales , Rawlins, Wyoming

So sorry to hear of Tommy's passing. I pray you find the strength to continue in his absence.

so sorry bout your dad but kenny and i are thinking of you and always here for you....just a phone call away... we love you always love aunt margo and uncle kenny

I'm so sorry to hear this morning of Tom's passing and regret that I missed the gathering last night.
I treasure the memories of bridge building with Tom and Joe for Charles M. Smith Construction during the late 1960s and early 1970s in Casper and Meeteetse. Tom and Joe were craftsmen whose skills I could emulate but never come close to matching. They were hard working, hard living and, more importantly, serious about helping people in need.
Some lessons I learned from the Vechnak Brothers:
•Don't bet when they play pool with you; all of a sudden their skills improve.
•Stay on their side when there's a fight but stand back when Tom and Joe fight each other. (They put a different meaning on getting a KICK out of fighting!)
•You can get away with kidnapping a cute flag girl if you just dump her head-first into their Chevy convertible and return her after a few minutes. (And, no, it was a different flag girl that I married!)
•Only the Vechnak Brothers can walk away laughing from a car-bridge collision not far from where we were building a new one.
•Time off? Why not drive all day to Denver for a hamburger?
•Don't drink beer in Thermopolis in their convertible. The loudspeaker on the policeman's car scares hell out of you when he asks you to put it down!
•Cute blonde waitresses are too awkward to hop to the door and back with just one shoe on. And laugh at yourself when the jokes on you!
•Don't be intimidated by new challenges; learn from them...enthusiastically.
•You can't drink a bar dry; the beer truck (called the milk truck by Tom and Joe) will pull up to the back door and keep the supplied.
•Be kind to everyone, especially the needy and your elders.
•Enjoy, in fact celebrate, every moment of life you're given.
Tom, we haven't seen each other for years, but you will be missed. In fact I was just telling a story about you and Joe yesterday!
Pat Schmidt

I was surprised and saddened to hear of Tommy's passing and my condolences go out to his family and friends. I haven't seen him in a while but whenever I did he always had a smile and kind word for me. Rest in Peace Tommy. From Tami Hansen - Dubois, WY