Tom Cole

Tom Cole (born Thomas Robinson Cole III) was born in Baltimore, Maryland on August 5, 1942, as the oldest son to Thomas R. Cole, Jr., and Dorothy Williams Cole. Tom grew up in Colorado with his early years spent in the Pueblo area where his father was stationed. His family then moved to the Englewood area where he attended local schools. He was in the U.S. Air Force as a young adult, and was stationed in various locations including Castle Air Force Base in northern California. During his time in the Air Force, Tom helped maintain in-flight refueling aircraft and was trained to maintain and operate KC-135 air tanker simulators utilized in training USAF flight crews nationwide. Tom earned his private pilot license through the military aero club in California which led to his lifelong interest in general aviation. Upon leaving the Air Force, Tom returned to Colorado, spending much of his adult life in Boulder County working for technology companies at IBM and Storage Tek. Tom married Judy (Talbot) Cole in Boulder, Colorado on November 26, 1971. Together they started and raised their family in Louisville Colorado. In 1983 Tom brought his vision and dreams of owning his own business to Louisville and the surrounding communities by opening Louisville Montessori School. Tom and Judy have provided many families in this community with a great start to education and life. Tom loved all of his cars and motorcycles over the years. He owned and restored Model A Ford's, was a member of the Model A Ford Club of Colorado - touring locally and nationally and eventually judging and showing his cars at a national level. He was a Ham radio operator setting up and maintaining his own equipment and stations. He loved watching NASCAR and was an avid Denver Broncos fan. Tom spent many years traveling with his family on model A excursions, cruising on his Harley and enjoying his time with his children's sports and activities over the years. Tom is survived by wife Judy Cole, Children - Sheri Cole, Theresa Cole, and Tom Cole IV (Kelli Godwin Cole), stepdaughter Christine Hudek, grandchildren - Denae Tarrant, Tehya Tarrant, Thomas Cole V, Lucy Cole, as well as his siblings David L. Cole and Judith L. Cole. Tom is preceded in death by his parents Thomas R. Cole Jr., and Dorothy W. Cole, and grandson David James King. Tom will be remembered as a loving husband, proud father and "Papa", a brother and friend, as a man with a heart of gold, who could fix almost anything, with a sense of humor, and a bit of stubbornness. Rest easy Tom - we love you.