Tommy “Tom” Moats passed away on Oct. 23, 2025, in Spooner, Wisconsin.
If heaven has a garage, a snowmobile trail, or something that needs fixing, you can bet Tom is already there — sleeves rolled up, callused hands at work.
Born on July 13, 1951, with a wrench in one hand and snowmobile handlebars in the other, Tom’s love of building and fixing things began the day he was born — a fact made evident by his permanently grease-stained hands and encyclopedic knowledge of bolts, bearings, and how things work. He inherited his dad’s knack for fixing anything (and making it better than new) and loved working alongside his dad and brother at Ray’s Firestone. In retirement, Tom found a second home at Lakes and Trails Marine & Small Engine, where he was able to keep doing what he loved most – helping others and fixing things.
Tom loved riding anything with an engine — motorcycles, tractors, snowmobiles — if it had a motor and a seat, he was on it. A proud member of the EIO Snowmobile Club, he spent countless late nights on the groomer making sure everyone’s trails were just right. He was one of the lucky few whose passion became his profession when he began working for Yamaha Motor Corporation in 1987. Tom loved chasing snow and traveled all over the world to find it. He cherished weekends snowmobiling with family and friends and loved leading the pack down the trail.
Summers were for family road trips — the Rocky Mountains, Washington, D.C., Branson, Missouri, Indianapolis Motor Speedway — no destination was too far to drive, and if there was a scenic route to take (and there always was), he made sure it was part of the plan. He looked forward to the annual family roundup in Mondovi — camping, floating the river and swapping stories around the fire.
Tom graduated from Frederic High School in 1969 and loved reminiscing about playing football with his lifelong friends. He enjoyed supporting his community as a volunteer firefighter, snowmobile safety instructor and church council member.
He adored hosting “Papa and Nana Camp,” where the grandkids learned important life lessons — how to play cribbage, how to fit four girls in the four-wheeler cargo basket at one time for rides through the woods, how to stay on the tube while flying around the lake and how to turn a wrench while they watched him work in the garage.
Tom loved classic Westerns — Gunsmoke reruns were practically a religion — and he carried that cowboy spirit into everything he did. He was loyal, hardworking, and always ready to protect Mom (and anyone else who needed it) at the drop of a hat.
With a mind that could engineer a solution to anything, Tom was the go-to fix-it guy for family, friends, and anyone who walked into his garage. He taught everyone around him the value of hard work, a good laugh, and taking the long way home.
He leaves behind family and friends who will miss his steady hands, wisdom, and guidance — but who will smile every time they hear an engine start or the crunch of snow beneath their feet.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Evelyn Moats.
Tom is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jean; daughters Stephanie (and his favorite son-in-law, Lee), Kristina; and son, Nate (and his favorite daughter-in-law, Tia); four amazing granddaughters, Tatum and Teagan Leibke, and Kira and Willa Moats; sisters, Judy, Jenelle and Joann; brothers, Jeff (Cheri) and Ken (Sue); and many cherished nieces, nephews, work family and friends.
Ride on Tom, the snow is coming, get the truck, the roads are open, and we know you’ll take the scenic route to heaven – just to make sure everyone can enjoy the view. We’ll take it from here.
A Celebration of Tom’s Life will be held on Oct. 31, at 11:30 a.m. at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Frederic, Wisconsin, with a visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial which will be donated to the Frederic Fire Department to support the purchase of new equipment.
