Thomas Gilsdorf

Thomas Eugene Gilsdorf age 72 of Fort Collins, Colorado passed away peacefully March 23rd, 2025.

Tom Gilsdorf was born June 5th 1952 to Victor and Clara (Kern) Gilsdorf. Tom grew up in Fort Collins, attending Saint Joseph’s school in his early years, and later graduating Windsor High School in 1970. After graduating, he joined the United States Army, where he served his time on the beaches of Hawaii. When his time was up in the Army, he decided to come back to Colorado. He worked as a meat cutter at King Soopers for 25 years before leaving to fulfill his real passion, building race cars at JR Racecar. He would work during the day on JR dragsters, and by night worked on his true Love- The Rude Stude. Tom’s close friend Kenny King and many other volunteers took the Rude Stude to new heights creating a machine that was envied by many. Tom’s favorite story was about the night he chased down the Zamora and Salazar boys to challenge them and ultimately win the crown of the midnight drags. Tom was also an avid Hunter and outdoorsman. He had great stories of his dad, son, and brothers in the Gunnison valley. In his later years he took to hunting rabbits on his parent’s farm to keep them out of his mom’s garden.

Tom loved his family dearly and was known to go on and on about his four kids. He was a proud father to the end and loved them all very much. He was equally proud of the 6 grandkids and loved to brag to anyone who would listen about their accomplishments.

Surviving members of the family include Daughters Christina Kerns (Ty), Shawna Rolf (Rodney), and Ashley Reeve (Dustin); Grandchildren, Catlain Gilsdorf (Jordan), Amanda Gilsdorf, (Hunter), Shelby Kerns, Haley Kerns, Hunter Reeve, and Levi Gilsdorf; Great grandchild, Jalen Gallegos; Brothers, Leo Gilsdorf, Richard Gilsdorf, and Dennis Gilsdorf (Cynthia); and Sisters, Joanne Haglund (Lenny), and Anne Betts.

Tom was preceded in death by parents Victor and Clara (Kern) Gilsdorf, Brothers Duane and James Gilsdorf, Sister Diane Nation, and son Jeremy Gilsdorf.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday 11:00 am April, 5th 2025 at Marks Funeral & Cremation with a reception following at 9293 Eastman Park Drive Windsor, CO 80550.