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Thomas Foss Obituary
Growing up he was active in Boy Scouts, music, and was an avid bicyclist in Illinois. He was drafted into the Army Security Agency in 1966 during the Vietnam War and served supporting the 82nd Airborne for 2 years. He graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1969 with degrees in Economics and Sociology. He then entered the world of data processing and was a key part of the team to write an automated credit approval program for Sears in Chicago, the first of its kind.
Tom was employed by Storage Tek (now SUN) since 1983. His accomplishments spanned the globe – among other things he built the customer briefing centers at their world headquarters in Louisville, CO and in Toulouse, France. He had a positive, lasting effect on the thousands of customers he spoke with, the hundreds of newly hired employees he trained and those who benefited from his technical advice and guidance.
Tom was a founding father of Columbine Unity Church in 1993. Tom carried the vision and oversaw the construction of the new church. Creating great 'sound' for the church was one of his passions, including lending his beautiful bass voice to the choir. He also worked with the high school youth group for 17 years –gently touching and changing the lives of many young people.
Tom's favorite hobbies after moving to Colorado included hiking, camping, skiing, and photography. He recently enjoyed summer motorcycle trips with his church posse, and they will miss his determination and courage.
Tom was the go-to person for many; he was the guy who could always figure it out, and get it done. He played many roles; he was a dad, a husband, a friend, a counselor, an advisor and a pillar. He will be sorely missed, and fondly remembered.
He was preceded in death by his father, Fred H. Foss. He is survived by his wife, Patricia; his mother, Eleanor Foss and brothers; Fred D. (Joanne) Foss and Don (Carol) Foss all of Glen Ellyn, Il.; daughter Kala (Mike) Megrdichian of Boulder; son, Joel Foss - CA; beloved new grandson Zachary Megrdichian.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Columbine Unity Church, (Tom Foss Memorial Fund): 8900 Arapahoe Rd., Boulder, CO 80302.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, July 19 at 2:30 pm at Columbine Unity Church. 8900 Arapahoe Rd., Boulder.
Tom lived well for 18 years with a kidney transplant. In honor of Tom, we ask that you consider a commitment to organ donation.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Julia Heggen
February 14, 2019
You were a kind friend for many years and I am fortunate to have known you. You left this earth too soon.
Antoine Hue
July 19, 2007
Dear
Pat,
I had the chance of working with Tom during my ten years in Colorado.
Tom, Lee and I had numerous lunches together where I was the baby
listening to my fathers who shared stories about StorageTek of course
and more importantly, like brothers in arms, their kidney transplants.
This is with sadness Lee informed me about Tom. This is with joy we
know he is in his peaceful journey and will always be with us in any
way. Please accept my family's deep sympathy, our thoughts and
prayers will go to you, your family and Tom.
Sincerely,
Antoine
Joe Baldwin
July 19, 2007
Tom is a member of the Good Guys, always, Tom knew you, even in a crowd with a 1000 things that he was chasing after. Yes, we will all have fond memories of Mr. Tom Foss. May he rest in the Grace and Peace available to those who seek it and may his family have that peace that transcends all understanding.
Joe Baldwin
Cat
July 18, 2007
Dear Pat, Kala, Joel, Mike & Zachary,
When I think of Tom I just feel very warm inside, so happy to have known him and blessed to have been a friend. We didn't see him alot in the past years and yet I never felt that time distanced the friendship. We went through alot of challenges with our kids throughout the years but they all came out pretty fantastic! Tom will always live in my heart, knowing there really never is any seperation. We will all see each other again!
I love you all. Cat
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Brandyn Dente
July 18, 2007
Kala, Mike, Joel, Zach, and Pat
Just want you all to know that Tom's memory lives within all of us and we are all so blessed in knowing him. I personaly will always remember his smile and his tinkle in his eyes. Plus, I will never forget his driving lectures about driving in snow, especially the one we got coming down Flagstaff in a blizzard.
My thoughts and prays are with you and I will be thinking about you tomorrow.
Love always
Diane Shepard
July 18, 2007
I recall Tom much the same way that others have already mentioned: patient, dedicated, resourceful, willing to drop other priorities and help someone with a problem....All these exemplar characteristics while he was going through his kidney transplant and recovery.
I remember his office being filled with a huge array of things that undoubtedly allowed him to come up with solutions in a hurry! When I look back at those STK years, he was a shining example of how to get things done.
Condolences to all who loved him.
Richard Binger
July 18, 2007
I only knew Tom for a few short years with my participation in the STK Forum events. Through this I was fortunate to get to know a man who cared deeply for his coworkers and would work tirelessly to complete a task. Tom could always find a way to make something happen or get any issue worked out. He was amazingly resourceful!
May God bless you and your family and provide many chances for you to reflect and remember the great times you shared.
Jeanne Jones
July 17, 2007
Pat, May you and your family have blessed memories for all the years you had together. Tom was a remarkable man and I enjoyed the many years I worked with him at StorageTek, particularly during our FORM events. Your in my thoughts & prayers.
Laurie Daven
July 14, 2007
I will always be grateful to Tom for his tireless service to the Youth of Unity and for his friendship.
With his volunteer work at the regional level, he mentored hundreds of teens every year. Tom was an exemplary role model--exhibiting strength, but also gentleness, wisdom, patience, and a light heart. His influence will be ongoing, and his smiling presence will be greatly missed.
Shane Rogers
July 12, 2007
Aloha Foss Farm,
I don't know life without Pat and Tom. Joel, Kala, and Pat I love you all and all my memories of Tom are happy and positive. We feel very fortunate to have spent your 40th anniversary with y'all. Thanks for everything.
Love,
Heather and Shane
Fred Aylstock
July 12, 2007
I had known Tom for many years at STK and always admired his smile, his willingness to help and his way of always getting it done right. On top of that Tom had a wonder sense of humor. It was an honor knowing Tom. He was one of those unique people who I could call and know that he would help me find the answer. He is missed greatly.
Kris Phillips
July 12, 2007
Pat, you and your family did a wonderful eulogy to Tom. It is so difficult to capture the life of someone who touched innumerable scores of people, in so many facets of his life. He was truly a "Renassiance Man," who could make anything happen for anyone he met, no matter what their stature in life or how challenging their needs!
I am very honored to say I knew Tom, and worked with him at StorageTek. I cannot tell you how many times I have had the clear image of Tom's huge grin, when he told me about how excited and proud he was of his kids, and how much he looked forward to Kala's wedding! As a mother of two growing daughters, he continuously asked me how they were doing, and how I was managing to keep perspective. He said one of the most rewarding things a parent can do is raise their children to be independent, happy adults who valued family!
With all of the incredible contributions he's made, and the legacy he has left, you and your family will have so many terrific memories to cherish. To know that we have made a difference in someone else's life is the ultimate goal in life. The differences Tom made far surpass anyone I will ever know.
With many happy memories, Kris Phillips
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