Thomas M. Ulibarri

Thomas Michael Ulibarri, age 87 of Pueblo, CO, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at the VA Community Living Center at Fitzsimons in Aurora, CO. He was born on July 11, 1934 in Coffeyville, KS, son of the late Seraphin John and Louise Grace (Cross) Ulibarri.

Mike proudly served in the United States Marine Corp in Korea and Japan. Upon his return from military service, he married the love of his life, Sylvia (Vaughn) Ulibarri on July 7, 1956. They met when they were 15 and 13 years old and were inseparable from then on. Mike and Sylvia were married for 62 years before the passing of Sylvia in 2018.

Mike attended watchmaker’s school in Denver, CO, and upon graduation went to work for Zales Jewelers in the watch repair department. He then attended Management training and became a manager at Zales. He transferred to Pueblo in 1966 and managed the Broomes Camera Center and improved the commercial Sparkletone Photo Lab. Mike later opened his own photography business which included professional wedding photography, and also sold Real Estate. After retirement Mike wrote a personal book named “Gold Mines and Golden Hills of Victor Colorado” to highlight his adventures in gold mining. Other hobbies of Mike’s included refinishing fine antique oak furniture, golf, clock repair, coin collecting, photography and playing with his Bassett Hounds. He had a skill for repairing the unrepairable. Whether it was electronic or something that was in a million pieces, he would fix it. His patience was immeasurable.

He is survived by his sons and daughter: William (Olga) Ulibarri of Elk Grove, CA, Thomas (Shonna) Ulibarri Jr. of Greeley, CO, John (May) Ulibarri of Seattle, WA, and Diana (Edward) Romero of Pueblo, CO.; his grandchildren: Elizabeth, Kyla, Isabella, Carley, Derik, Reese, Max, and Nick, his brother Don Ulibarri of Phoenix, AZ, and his sister-in-law Dorinda (Bill) Porquis of Aurora, CO. He was preceded in death by his wife Sylvia Ulibarri and grandson Ian Ulibarri.

Family will be having graveside services on June 20, 2022 at 2PM in the afternoon at Imperial Memorial Gardens. Then a celebration of life for Thomas at Fellowship of the Rockies to follow afterwards.