1936-2026
Tom Swickard, rancher, golfer, and longtime resident of the Honey Lake Valley passed away on February 13, 2026. He was born in San Jose, CA on February 4, 1936. Tom led a life defined by his work ethic, a love of hunting and his remarkable athletic achievements.
Tom and his brother Jack Swickard moved to Susanville from the Santa Clara Valley in 1959 and purchased Five Dot Land & Cattle Co. in Willow Creek. Tom settled in Milford, CA, in 1964 where he lived continuously until his death. Tom and his brother Jack and sister-in-law, Midge, worked together for over 40 years on the ranch. When his brother Jack passed away in 2001, Tom continued to work with his nephew Todd, Midge’s nephew Matt Lavacot and recently Todd’s son Logan until his passing. He was a staple at the Five Dot Shop every morning at 7:00 am always checking in.
For over 50 years Tom operated the Five Dot Pheasant Club in Litchfield, Ca. He contributed to the local community supporting the Lassen County Junior Pheasant Hunt and hosting pheasant hunts for the Wounded Warrior Project. In the 1980’s Tom became involved in California’s Private Lands Wildlife Management Program. Through this program he developed deer and wildlife habitat programs that allowed for outside hunting on ranch owned properties.
Tom was a dominant force in Northern California and Northern Nevada amateur golf. Between 1968 and 1979, he won the Emerson Lake Men’s Club Championship eleven consecutive times. He also won the Mapes Invitational Golf Tournament in Reno four straight years, from 1969 through 1972. Tom shot a Saturday round of 66 and won the Susanville Open in 1979 and served as Emerson Lake Men’s Club president in 1979. He remained an avid golfer into his 80’s. He supported the Lassen High Golf Team putting on local tournaments for many years. He was also an avid Bay Area sports fan rooting for and occasionally betting on the 49ers, Giants and Warriors
Anyone who saw Tom around town or on the ranch most certainly spotted Tom with his many German Shorthair Pointer dogs; Berry, Holly, Hershey and multiple Remy’s. He adored every one of those dogs for their companionship and hunting skills. They were all a witness to his great life.
He is preceded in death by his parents John and Evelyn Swickard and his brother Jack Swickard. Tom is survived by his sister-in-law Midge Swickard, Nephew Todd Swickard, his wife Lori and their four children, Nephew Tim Swickard, his wife Laura and their 5 children and his stepson Albie Stoll and his wife, Julie Stoll and their three children.
Friends are invited to attend memorial services for Tom at Jensen Hall, at the fairgrounds at 1:00 pm on Friday, March 13, 2026.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lassen High School Golf team or the Wounded Warrior Project.
