Thomas Young

Thomas Alden Young, 82, of Cotopaxi passed away February 9, 2014 in Colorado Springs from complications after surgery. Tom was born November 10, 1931 in Canon City to Peter Allen and Anna Idell (McCrory) Young. He attended Cotopaxi School until his junior year where he transferred to Canon City to play football graduating in 1950. He attended Colorado A & M (Colorado State University) in Ft. Collins on a football and ROTC scholarship. He graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Husbandry and Agronomy and a minor in Economics. He married Bernadine Raye DeTata in Canon City on January 12, 1957. Tom was a lifelong rancher spending all but his first 1 1/2 years at Cotopaxi. He was a crop adjuster for over 40 years working in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and New Mexico. He was known for being a fair and honest adjuster and an expert in potatoes. He enjoyed talking to people and didn't know a stranger. He was an avid hunter and loved shooting with his grandsons. He also enjoyed putting up hay, stacking well over one million bales. He also enjoyed Cotopaxi School sports, doing the books and running the clock for basketball games for over 50 years. He was dedicated to helping children any way possible. Tom was a 50 year member of Silver Cliff Masonic Lodge, Salida Masonic Lodge, Salida Topaz Chapter of the Eastern Star, and The Hillside Grange. He was also a charter member of the Cotopaxi Lions Club. He was a member Al Kay Shrine Honda Patron, Salida Elks Lodge, Masonic York Rite, and Masonic Scottish Rite, National Rifle Association, and National Wild Turkey Federation. He is preceded in death by his wife; parents; brothers, Peter A. Young and Charles B. Young; sister, Marilyn L. Young Knox; sons, Timothy A. Young and Barry T. Young; brother-in-law, Joseph DeTata; and nephew, Peter A. Young. He is survived by daughters, Elizabeth (Betsy) Denney and Tomalee Young of Cotopaxi; grandsons, Thomas (Jasmyne) Denney and Deric (Cassandra) Denney of Meeker; great granddaughter, MacKenzie Denney of Meeker; step granddaughter, Annette Denney and family of Glenwood Springs; and numerous other cousins, nieces, and nephews, including special cousin Carolyn McCrory of Winston Salem, North Carolina. Funeral services will be held at the Cotopaxi Community Church in Cotopaxi at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 17, 2014 with Masonic Graveside service immediately following at the Cotopaxi Cemetery. There will be a reception after the graveside at the Cotopaxi Church. Donations can be made to the Cotopaxi Reading Action Program of the Cotopaxi Lions Club or the Shrine Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Wilson Funeral Home. Online condolences @ www.wilsonfuneral home.org