Dr. Thomas Floyd Trail was an accomplished man, Washington State University professor, Idaho State Representative, 4-H leader, Rotarian, Sunday school teacher, Idaho AARP President, devoted husband and father.
While spending most of his years in Moscow he was a world traveler, visiting and living in over 100 countries around the world. He was passionate about international cultures and invested much of his professional life living and working in the developing world overseeing programs such as Peace Corps, Heifer Project and international exchange programs such as International 4-H Youth Exchange and American Field Service.
Tom was a Moscow native. He was born at Gritman Hospital in 1935 and left this world Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at 88 years of age, after succumbing suddenly to multiple complications. He passed away quickly and peacefully with Ruth, his eldest child, friends and family by his side to share last words and memories before life-support was removed. He was a man of quiet, but strong faith and we are comforted knowing he is now in a much better place.
For 16 years Tom represented the people of Latah County in the Idaho State House of Representatives (District 5). His slogan “Constituents First” often was at odds with the politics in Boise where he strived to work constructively across party lines. His proudest accomplishments included co-sponsoring the Promise Scholarship and Opportunity Scholarship Programs for needs-based students, passing minimum wage legislation for Hispanic farm workers, revamping the Idaho Public Retirement System (PERSI) and sponsoring three Victim ID bills that became law. He served on the Education Committee for 16 years, on the Commerce and Human Services Committee and as chair of the Agricultural Affairs Committee. In his last year in the legislature, leadership stripped him of his chairmanship for not voting along party lines.
Tom graduated from Moscow High School and earned his bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Idaho (1957). He earned his master’s degree from the University of Maryland and his doctorate in experimental psychology from Montana State University.
He represented Idaho 4-H club members in 1956 by traveling to Nepal as an International Farm Youth Exchange delegate and was the 53rd American to enter Nepal. Upon his return from Nepal, he met his wife of 64 years, Jo Ann Smith, who was returning from an IFYE exchange (to Sweden). He and Jo Ann, along with David and Suzie Trail, helped found the Mountain View 4-H Club, which still flourishes today.
Often characterized by his interesting sense of humor and his “occasional” embellishment of historical happenings, Tom was always quick to tell a joke or share a funny story. We all have fond memories with his fascination for anything related to Big Foot, rubber chickens, screaming pickles and his crazy, continually escalating, gag Christmas gift exchanges with friends.
Tom was the eldest son of Floyd and Louise Willman Trail of Moscow. He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann; his sister, Marilyn (Dale); his daughter, Ruth; his sons, Mark (Lisa); Steve (Debbie) and six grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at the Church of the Nazarene, 1400 E. Seventh St., Moscow. His family has asked that anyone seeking to honor his memory do so in the form of a contribution to any of the following causes: Tom and Jo Ann Trail International 4-H Endowment, University of Idaho Foundation, 875 Perimeter Drive, MS 3143, Moscow, ID 83844-31; the Gritman Foundation (Gritman Link), 700 S. Main St., Moscow, ID 83843, or the Kenworthy Performing Arts Center, P.O. Box 8126, Moscow, ID 83843.
Short’s Funeral Chapel of Moscow is in charge of arrangements and condolences may be left shortsfuneralchapel.com.
