Thomas B. Connor

Thomas Bernard Connor was born on February 15, 1934 to Robert Kelly and Lela Gertrude (Kist) Connor. Tom was the third of six children. Tom married Helen Darlene Knox on May 23, 1953. Tom and Darlene have four daughters - Julie J. Connor (deceased), Vicki L. Deitchel, Doris E. (Tim) Ford and Karen S. Burgwald. Tom and Darlene have eight grandchildren - Steven T. (Tarryn) Ford, William H. (Tara Cilke) Ford III, Mallory A. Ford, Eric D. Deitchel, Adam T. Deitchel, Kayla J. Burgwald, Connor B. Burgwald, Jillian O. Burgwald. And two great-granddaughters - Ava A. Ford and Sydney P. Ford.

Tom's surviving siblings are Alan (Kay) Connor, Waterloo, IA and Joyce (Al) Preissler, Dallas, TX.

Tom and Darlene lived in Waterloo, Iowa from 1953 until they moved with the girls to Arvada, CO in 1971. While in Waterloo, Tom worked for Northwestern Bell. As he moved to Colorado, he transferred to Mountain Bell. He retired from Mountain Bell after 35 years of service in the Bell System. After retiring from Mountain Bell/Qwest, Tom started his second career, he purchased an auto salvage business. He was in his glory with the auto salvage yard. His knowledge of autos was extensive and he enjoy running the business for many years. His business success was based on the premise that "one man's junk is another man's treasure".

Tom loved to fish and hunt. He stopped hunting many years ago but he fished until just a few years ago when it became challenging to get in and out of his boat safely. He was happiest when he had a fish pole in the water and a fish on the hook. Tom and Darlene spent the majority of their free time at their second home in Glendo, Wyoming. Beautiful sunrises on the porch with a cup of hot coffee, a full day of fishing and end the day with a spectacular Wyoming sunset, what a life!! At the end of the day of fishing, you would catch Tom sitting on the porch with his bourbon and water, skillfully fileting a stringer of Walleye to be savored for dinner.

Tom and Darlene lived at their home in Broomfield for 37 years. Tom enjoyed spending time in his barn tinkering at any given project. If it needed fixing or building, Tom wouldn't hesitate tackling the project. He was always willing to help his daughters with the various projects they took on, offering plenty of advice, tools and assistance. He was a perfectionist so it wasn't done until it was done right.

Tom and Darlene had recently moved to Mountain Vista Village Assisted Living in Wheatridge, Colorado. Darlene will continue to reside at Vista Village.