Tom Oar Biography (2025): Age, Family, Rodeo Near-Death Experience, Wife Nancy, First Wife Jan, Net Worth, and Mountain Men Updates

The History Channel reality show Mountain Men introduced audiences to brave individuals living off the grid in some of America’s most challenging wilderness regions. Among the show’s most beloved figures is Tom Oar, known for his resilience, old-school skills, and deep connection to nature. While other cast members like Rich Lewis, Eustace Conway, Marty Meierotto, Morgan Beasley, and Jason Hawk also captured viewers’ hearts, Tom stands out for his quiet determination and rich life story.

This comprehensive biography covers everything you need to know about Tom Oar—from his early years and rodeo fame to his life in Montana’s Yaak River Valley, his time on Mountain Men, personal tragedies, and his enduring legacy. While some online obituary sites mistakenly reported his death in 2023, Tom Oar is alive as of 2025.

Who is Tom Oar?

Tom Oar is a hunter, trapper, tanner, former rodeo, and a reality television actor known for “Mountain Men.” Tom comes from a family of entertainers, as his father Chike Oar traveled across the country performing in the “US Wild West Shows,” and the side is evident in Tom too. He worked in the rodeo circuit for nearly three decades. Tom made the top 10 ranks of the International Rodeo Association on multiple occasions.

On physical appearance, Tom has a small height,  grey/white hair, and a bushy white beard. He often goes with his signature cowboy hats which could be a testament to his glory days as a rodeo.

Early Life and Family Background

• Full Name: Thomas J. “Tom” Oar
• Born: March 1943, Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois, USA
• Parents: Charles Joseph “Chike” Oar (1915–1999) and Mary Jane Hardy Oar Crellin (1918–2018)
• Siblings: Older brother Jack Oar

Tom was raised in the countryside outside Rockford, Illinois, alongside his older brother. Both boys shared a passion for the outdoors and horseback riding. Their father, Charles Joseph “Chike” Oar, served in the U.S. Navy during World War II before pursuing a career as a horseman and entertainer with the U.S. Wild West Shows. He taught his sons trick riding at the age of seven—performing stunts atop running horses. This daring skill shaped Tom’s future love for risk and adventure.

His mother, Mary Jane Hardy Oar Crellin, supported Tom’s adventurous spirit from an early age. She often drove him to rodeos as a teenager and encouraged his ambitions despite the risks involved.

By age 15, Tom had embraced the rodeo lifestyle. With his bull rope and rigging bag in hand, he hitchhiked to Ohio to compete in bull and bucking horse events, often driven to the edge of town by his supportive mother. His early experiences honed his independence and determination.

By the early 1960s, Tom had risen through the ranks of the International Rodeo Association, consistently ranking in the Top 10 and reaching the finals multiple times., consistently ranking in the Top 10 and reaching the finals multiple times.

Rodeo Career Highlights

Tom’s rodeo career blossomed during his teenage years and extended into his adult life. In the 1960s and 1970s, he earned national recognition in the International Rodeo Association, frequently ranking among the Top 10 riders and regularly qualifying for the finals.

Near-Death Experience:

On Valentine’s Day 1970, at the age of 35, Tom faced a life-threatening incident while riding a bull named Woolly Bugger. Upon exiting the chute, Tom’s head collided with the bull’s, rendering him unconscious. His hand, locked into the rope, trapped him beneath the bucking animal for two agonizing minutes. He regained consciousness three hours later, suffering a severe concussion and extensive bruising.

Despite returning to competition a month later, Tom never regained his former competitive edge. He officially retired from rodeoing in 1981, recognizing it was time to embrace a new chapter in life.

Transition to Montana and Homesteading Life

Following his retirement, Tom and Nancy loaded their belongings into a pickup truck—purchased with proceeds from muskrat pelts—and moved to Montana’s Yaak River Valley. Initially, they faced harsh winters and financial uncertainty. Their first winter was especially brutal, testing their resolve.

Though Tom had some experience trapping before leaving Illinois, he had limited knowledge of earning a living from it. A turning point came when he purchased a $3 book in Billings, Montana, which outlined Native American brain tanning techniques. This newfound skill became the foundation of his craft.

Tom began selling his buckskin clothing at Black Powder Rendezvous events, gatherings that celebrated the fur-trade era. His brain-tanned hides quickly gained recognition for their exceptional quality, establishing a niche market for his handmade products.

Their off-grid lifestyle involved hunting, trapping, and tanning hides. In winter, Tom focused on trapping and hunting, while summer months were dedicated to selling handcrafted buckskin items at town markets.

Mountain Men TV Career

Tom Oar joined the cast of Mountain Men when the show premiered in 2012. Over the course of 13 seasons, he became one of its most iconic figures. His appearances highlighted not just the daily realities of living off the land in Montana’s rugged Yaak River Valley, but also deeper themes of resilience, traditional craftsmanship, and family values.

Viewers were drawn to Tom’s unwavering determination to maintain a self-sufficient lifestyle despite aging, health challenges, and the evolving modern world. Alongside his wife Nancy and their loyal hunting dogs, Tom’s journey symbolized the enduring spirit of American frontiersmen.

Craftsmanship and Business

Tom Oar became renowned for his exceptional handmade buckskin goods, crafted using traditional brain tanning techniques that are increasingly rare in the modern era. His leatherwork—including shirts, jackets, moccasins, and bags—earned him both a loyal customer base and respect among fellow artisans.
Beyond selling his goods, Tom and Nancy operated a trading post where they engaged with both locals and visitors, sharing stories and offering authentic frontier craftsmanship. Additionally, Tom dedicated time to teaching traditional wilderness and trapping skills to younger generations and enthusiasts, passing on knowledge that might otherwise be lost.

For a detailed season-by-season timeline of Tom Oar’s appearances, challenges, and milestones on Mountain Men, visit our dedicated article:

👉 Tom Oar’s Full Mountain Men Journey: Seasons 1 to 13 — Highlights & Legacy

Personal Life: Marriage, Children, and Tragedy

First Marriage and Children

Tom’s first marriage was to Janice Mae “Jan” Hoglund Oar Frazer (1942–2018). The couple had two children:

• Chad Oar (born May 1957)
• Keelie Oar (born February 14, 1966)

Tom and Jan eventually divorced but remained connected through their children and grandchildren. After their separation, Jan remarried David Frazer and lived in Florida until her passing in 2018.

Second Marriage to Nancy Oar

Following his divorce, Tom married Nancy Oar, also from Northern Illinois. The couple initially vacationed in Montana before choosing to settle permanently in the Yaak River Valley. Nancy supported Tom during the transition to homesteading and became a central part of his life in Montana and his later television career.

Family on Mountain Men

Both Chad and Keelie appeared on Mountain Men, encouraging their father to consider moving to Florida for a more comfortable lifestyle. Tom, however, chose to remain in Montana, once stating:

“I was born a hundred years too late. Or maybe 200 years too late.”

Daughter’s Tragic Death

Keelie Oar pursued a career in medical sales and had also been an actress. She passed away on April 26, 2015, in St. Petersburg, Florida, at the age of 49. Her loss was a profound tragedy for Tom and the Oar family.

Net Worth and Income Sources

Despite their minimalist lifestyle, Tom and Nancy have built a respectable net worth.

• Estimated Net Worth (2025): $300,000

Income Sources:

• Fur trapping
• Sale of handcrafted buckskin goods
• Mountain Men earnings
• Mountain Man Coffee sales

In recent years, Tom partnered with Yaak Coffee Roasters to launch Mountain Man Coffee, a brand inspired by his rugged lifestyle and off-grid living experience. The coffee line reflects Tom’s practical spirit and has provided an additional income stream, resonating with fans of the show and outdoor enthusiasts.

Note: While money holds little value in their off-grid life, TV appearances, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurial ventures like his coffee line have contributed to their financial stability.

Current Life (2025)

As of 2025, Tom Oar is alive and continues to reside in Montana’s Yaak River Valley with his wife Nancy. After decades of living off the grid, Tom continues to embrace a lifestyle centered on resilience, craftsmanship, and a deep connection to nature.

In 2023, some online sources inaccurately reported his passing. These claims were later corrected, confirming that Tom remained active despite advancing age and earlier health disclosures.

He continues to engage in his traditional crafts and his entrepreneurial venture, Mountain Man Coffee, reflecting his ongoing commitment to self-sufficient living.

Health Update

In 2022, during Mountain Men Season 11, Tom shared that he was managing heart health challenges. In the episodes “Heart and Soul” and “Edge of Darkness,” he addressed these concerns while continuing his trapping and craftsmanship, adapting his activities to accommodate his health.

He continued to appear on Mountain Men in Seasons 12 and 13, demonstrating his resilience and dedication to traditional skills despite the challenges posed by his health condition.

His legacy continues to inspire countless fans of Mountain Men and people who value traditional skills and a connection to nature.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where does Tom Oar live now?

• Yaak River Valley, Montana.

Did Tom Oar pass away?

• No. Despite false online reports in 2023, Tom Oar is alive as of 2025.

Why did Tom Oar leave Mountain Men?

• Tom has not officially left the show but has reduced his appearances in recent seasons to focus on personal life.

What is Tom Oar’s age?

• 82 years old (as of 2025).

What happened to Tom Oar’s daughter?

• Sadly, his daughter Keelie Oar passed away. The family has kept the details private.

What is Tom Oar’s net worth?

• Estimated at $300,000.

Who is Tom Oar’s first wife?

• His first wife was Jan Frazer.

Who is Tom Oar’s mother, Mary Jane Crellin?

• Mary Jane Crellin was Tom’s mother, who supported his adventurous spirit and rodeo career. She played a significant role in his upbringing, especially during challenging post-war years.

When was Tom Oar born?

• March 1943.

What is Tom Oar’s date of birth?

• March 1943.

Quick Facts Summary

Fact	Details
Full Name	Tom Oar
Born	March 1943, Illinois, U.S.
Age	80 (as of 2025)
Occupation	Reality TV star, tanner, trapper, former rodeo cowboy
TV Show	Mountain Men
Net Worth	$300,000
Wife	Nancy Oar
First Wife	Jan Frazer
Mother	Mary Jane Crellin
Children	Chad Oar, Keelie Oar (deceased)