Thomas Keffeler

Thomas William Keffeler
July 4, 1927 - November 9, 2012

Thomas W. Keffeler was born in Oakland, California on July 4, 1927, to Herbert Oswald Keffeler and Mary Ellen Barron Keffeler. He grew up in the Oakland area, was educated in the Oakland Public Schools and was a Boy Scout and a member of Rock Ridge Chapter of the Order of DeMolay.

Tom enlisted in the Navy on June 13, 1945 to become a Hospital Corpsman. He was honorably discharged on July 2, 1948. Tom received his Majority from the Order of DeMolay in 1949. Upon returning to Oakland after his stint in the Navy, Tom worked for Kaiser Health as an X-Ray Technician. He then attended the University of California at Berkley, graduating in 1953 with a B. S. in Environmental Health. He worked for the Alameda County Health Department from July 1953 until October 1957.

He moved to Estes Park, Colorado and operated a Gambles Store from 1958 until 1970, which became an independent store. Tom then became a salesman, representing many lines through the years, and travelled throughout Colorado. For a time, he maintained a showroom at the Denver Merchandise Mart. He continued this occupation in some form until May 2011.

Tom married Catherine Irene Hartt in 1949. Two daughters were born to Tom and Catherine, while still in California. Theanne Sue Keffeler (born 1951) resides in Aurora, and Cathy Hartt (born 1955) resides in Montrose. Tom and Catherine divorced in 1968, and Tom married Betsy Gundel in 1970. They were divorced in 1972. Two Granddaughters came along later. They are Cathy's children, and are Stephanie Ferron and Erica Ferron. Thanks to Stephanie, Tom has a 6 year old Great Granddaughter, Maia Dibble, and a Great Grandson on the way.

Illustrious and Worshipful Brother Tom Keffeler began his Masonic career in Hayward, California in Foothills Lodge No. 564 in 1954, being Raised a Master Mason on October 23, 1954. He affiliated with Estes Park Lodge No. 183, and served as their Worshipful Master in 1983. Tom took the Scottish Rite Degrees in November 1975 in Colorado Consistory. He was elected a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor on October 17, 1983, and Coronetted a Thirty-Third Degree Mason on November 27, 1993. He was a York Rite Mason in the South Denver York Rite bodies, serving as Grand Sentinel of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in 2008-2009.

Tom resided at the Robert Russell Eastern Star/Masonic Center for the last several years, working as receptionist and as security. He died there on November 9, 2012, after a short illness.

Tom is survived by his Daughters, Theanne and Cathy; his Granddaughters, Stephanie and Erica; his Great Granddaughter, Maia; a Brother, Herbert (Bert) Keffeler; a niece, Sharon (Keffeler) Gavarre and a nephew, Herbert (Ted) Keffeler, as well as several Great Nieces and Nephews.

Services for Thomas W. Keffeler will be at the Robert Russell Eastern Star/Masonic Center, 2445 South Quebec Street, Friday, November 16 at 10 A.M. (religious services) and at Park Hill Masonic Temple, 4819 Montview Boulevard, Friday, November 16 at 2 P.M. (religious, Rose Croix Scottish Rite service and Masonic Memorial service).

Condolences may be sent to Theanne Keffeler at 14720 East Kentucky Drive, #618, Aurora, Colorado 80012 or to Cathy Hartt by email at cathycnm@msn.com. Memorials may be sent to the Scottish Rite Foundation, 1370 Grant Street, Denver, Colorado 80204 or to a charity of your choice.

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