Thomas Van Hee

Thomas Harve Van Hee “Great day, Fire-up!”, 82, of Fowler, Colorado was born on June 23, 1943 in Lamar, Colorado & passed November 11, 2025. Tom was preceded in death by his parents Thomas Augustus and Geneva Van Hee, brother Kim and sister Karron Van Hee. Tom is survived by his wife Kaye Ellen Van Hee, sons Brent (Cathy Smith) Van Hee and Miles (Tonya) Van Hee, and five grandchildren – Brooke (Angelo) DeVencenty, Jordyn (Nick Mamigonian), Noah, Bryson and Jared Van Hee and brother Denny (Nancy) Van Hee.

Tom graduated from La Junta High School in 1962 and attended colleges at Lamar JC, Arizona State University, Colorado State University and University of Southern Colorado. Tom graduated and wrestled for Lamar Junior College in 1962 - 1964 and attended Arizona State to wrestle in 1964. Tom left school to work for the Santa Fe Railroad to earn money to go back to school. During this time, he married the love of his life, Kaye, in August 1966. During his work, he was drafted and served in the United States Army from 1966-1967 and served our country fighting in the Vietnam War. He received the Medal of Commendation.

Upon return, Tom was able to finish college on the GI Bill and graduated from Southern Colorado State College (now CSU-Pueblo). Tom started his Coaching and Teaching career in Fowler, Colorado in 1971. Tom retired from Coaching in 1989 and continued to teach until he completely retired in 1999. Wrestling, fishing, hunting, and his love for his wrestlers was his passion in life. He treated all his student-athletes like they were his own.

From 2003-2023 Tom and Kaye traveled the country and landed in Baja Kino Bay on the sea of Cortez as a winter home and spent their summers in Gunnison at Blue Mesa Ranch and reservoir. While in Kino Bay, Tom and Kaye made another set of wonderful friends that were like a second family. Tom’s impact on so many lives was immeasurable. He would give the shirt off his back for his friends, wrestlers and family.

He and Kaye traveled every summer and many, many weekends, taking wrestlers to tournaments across the country. He was happiest when he was helping others. Tom was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame – Colorado Chapter and the La Junta High School Hall of Fame. He was also named the National Wrestling runner-up Coach of the Year. Regional Coach of the Year and the Colorado State High School Coach of the Year six times. Tom coached his teams to four State Championship titles and coached many individual state champions (including his sons), and state placers many of whom went on to become Collegiate National Champs and All-Americans. Tom combined his love of wrestling and fishing by taking hundreds of wrestling coaches out to fish on Blue Mesa Reservoir over the years while they were in Gunnison for wrestling camp. He made sure they all had a great time and caught fish!

Celebration of life will be held December 6, 2025, in Fowler, CO at West Assembly of God Church, 406 W. Eugene Ave., at 1:30pm. Dessert reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to be made to the Fowler Wrestling Club. Send donations to Fowler Wrestling Club (FWC) and send to: FNB Fowler, 117 Main St. Fowler, CO 81039

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.