Tom Oar was a well-known American television personality who appeared on the History Channel reality series Mountain Men. He was one of the few people who chose to live off the grid in the remote wilderness of Montana, surviving on his skills as a hunter, trapper, tanner, and craftsman. He passed away peacefully at his home in Florida, surrounded by his loving wife and family. He was 79 years old.
Early Life and Career
Tom Oar was born in 1943 in Rockford, Illinois, to Chike Oar and an unnamed mother. His father was a performer in the US Wild West Shows in the 1980s and early 1990s, traveling across the country and showcasing his skills as a cowboy and rodeo rider. Tom inherited his father’s passion for the wild west and followed his footsteps into the rodeo circuit. He dedicated 18 years to rodeo riding and 25 years to bucking horses, earning a reputation as one of the best in the business.
However, Tom also had a desire to live a simpler and more natural life, away from the hustle and bustle of modern society. He was inspired by his grandfather, who was a fur trapper in the 1800s. Tom decided to leave the rodeo scene and move to Montana’s Yaak River Valley with his wife Nancy Oar in 1970. There, they built a log cabin on a vast spread of isolated land, where they lived for almost five decades.
Living Off the Land
Tom and Nancy embraced the challenges and joys of living off the land in Montana. They relied on their own skills and resources to provide for their needs. They hunted, fished, trapped, and tanned hides for food and clothing. They also made shoes, hats, bags, and other items out of leather and sold them online and at local markets. They used solar panels for electricity and a wood stove for heating. They faced many dangers from wild animals, harsh weather, and poachers, but they also enjoyed the beauty and tranquility of nature.
Tom became famous for his appearance on the reality show Mountain Men, which premiered on the History Channel in 2012. The show followed him and several other men who lived in different parts of America’s wilderness, showing their daily struggles and adventures. Tom quickly became a fan favorite for his kind and warm personality, his love for his wife and animals, and his impressive skills as a survivalist. He appeared on nine seasons of the show, until he decided to retire from the spotlight in 2020.
Retirement and Death
Tom and Nancy had been contemplating retirement for several years, as they felt their age catching up with them. They had visited Florida several times to see their family members, including Tom’s son Chad Oar from his previous relationship with Jan Frazer. Tom also had a daughter named Keelie Oar, who sadly passed away in 2015. Tom and Nancy eventually decided to move to Florida permanently in 2020, leaving behind their Montana home.
Tom Oar died peacefully at his home in Florida on September 22, 2023. He was surrounded by his wife Nancy, his son Chad, his grandchildren, and his friends. He had been suffering from some health issues for a while, but he did not let them affect his spirit. He was remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, friend, and a true mountain man.
According to Celebily Tom Oar had a net worth of around $200 thousand at the time of his death. He earned most of his income from his business as a tanner and craftsman, as well as from his appearance on Mountain Men. He also made some money from selling custom-made knives online.
Tom Oar left behind a legacy of courage, resilience, creativity, and passion. He inspired many people with his lifestyle and philosophy of living close to nature and being self-reliant. He will be dearly missed by his family, fans, and fellow mountain men.
