Thomas J. Davenport, 47, of Baldwin, ND, joined his Heavenly Father on February 10, 2009 in Bismarck.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00am, Saturday, February 14 at Grace Lutheran Brethren Church in Bismarck. Interment will take place at a later date in the Regan Cemetery, Regan, ND.

Visitation will be held 5:30pm – 8:00pm Friday at Mission Evangelical Free Church in Wilton and continue Saturday, one hour prior to time of service at the church in Bismarck.

Thomas John Davenport was born March 23, 1961, in Bismarck, ND, the son of Leonard Lyle Jr. and Margaret Esther (Onstad) Davenport. He grew up on the Davenport farm west of Wilton, where he enjoyed helping his dad farm. Tom married Ora LaShella Orr on January 29, 1983. Tom and LaShella made their home on the farm in Baldwin and had six wonderful children. Tom worked a variety of professions throughout his life. Most recently, he had his own business that included truck driving, crushing cars, and hauling cattle. He was also an excellent auto mechanic.

Tom had a variety of interests including racecar driving, demolition derbies, farming, and welding various projects with his friend, Dave, and his sons. He loved being around children and he enjoyed hearing their laughter. Family was very important to Tom. He would do anything for his children and enjoyed spending days and holidays together with the whole family. Tom was the most excellent provider for his family and he will be greatly missed.

Tom was a very kind and generous man, making an impact on everyone in his life. He loved to talk to everybody, and he made many lasting friendships through the different stages of his life, especially Dave Schmidt.

Tom is survived by his wife, LaShella; three daughters, Janel Mae (Eric) Eckroth of Bismarck, Christina Marie Davenport (fiancé Spencer Potts) of Baldwin, and Lillian Lou Davenport of Bismarck; three sons, Travis John Davenport of Bismarck, Leland Thomas Davenport of Baldwin, and Samuel Evan Davenport of Baldwin; and one especially cute grandson, Alexander Thomas Eckroth of Bismarck. He is also survived by his mother, Margaret Davenport of Baldwin; his siblings, Dan (Debra) Davenport, Doug Davenport, Donny Davenport, Sarah (Jim) Berndt, and Ruth (Jeff) Schadler; his sister-in-law, Pat (Russ) Walbert; and many cousins, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Leonard Jr., his brother, David Davenport, and his grandparents, Leonard Sr. & Nadine Davenport, and Iver & Emma Onstad.