Thomas “Tom” Joseph Reed, Sr passed peacefully at his home on Monday, August 14, 2017. He was 96 years old.
Tom was born April 3, 1921 in Boulder to Marion and Lillian (Gotto) Reed. Tom was the 7th of their 8 children.
Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Lee (Pittenger) Reed, His parents Marion and Lillian (Gotto) Reed and his 7 siblings; Margie, Helen, Marion, Elizabeth, AnnaMae, Bill and Jim.
Tom is survived by his 4 children. Thomas Reed, Jr (Donna) of Frederick, CO. Robin Maras (Steve) of Boulder, CO. Erica “Ricki” Hetherington of Longmont and Jason Reed (Annie) of Lafayette. He is survived by his Grandchildren. Thomas Reed, III (Jannelle) of Indiana, Jennifer Kolby (Mark) of Longmont, Sara Warembourg (Bryan) of Mead and Seth Hetherington (Charli) of Wyoming. His great granddaughters. MacKenzi (Tyler), Rowan, Brinley and Chelsea and his great great grandson, Jack.
Tom was born, raised, and resided in Boulder.
Tom graduated from Boulder High School, class of 1941. He played football for the Panthers and was known as “Tom the Tiny Tank”. He briefly attended the University of Colorado after high school. Upon leaving the University, Tom worked as a precision tool and die maker, fabricating dies and templates for ammunition production at the Remington Arms plant in Denver, Colorado
He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in February of 1943 and trained extensively at several stateside bases as an ordinance man, armorer, and turret machine gunner. He shipped to the Asiatic Pacific front on December 17, 1944 and served there until Nov 30, 1945. He flew as a turret gunner on B-25 Mitchel medium bombers with Marine Bombing Squadron V.M.B. 433, from Green Emireau and other islands in the Solomon Bismark Island group on day and night bombing runs and other missions. The squadron and others were set to be the first to attack with the invasion of Japan when the war came to an end. Tom received several combat and theater ribbons and was awarded the Air Combat Medal with 3 stars and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant in January 1946. Upon returning to Boulder he married Lois Pittenger, July 19, 1947. Lois preceded him in death in 1998.
Tom was a lifetime member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America and was a lifetime member of the Elks. He spent his adult life raising 4 children and working as a carpenter, construction foreman and superintendent. He was very proud of the many buildings he worked on or supervised the construction of over his 40 year career, including the Rocky Flats Plant, many buildings at the University of Colorado, Ball Brothers, Neodata Services, I.B.M. and numerous banks, businesses, and car dealerships.
The times Tom enjoyed most in his life were spent with family. Everyone gathered around for a backyard party or time spent in a goose blind, a fishing boat in Canada, or a short weekend hunting trip. These he remembered best because they were with his sons, grandsons, grandsons-in-law and other friends and family.
He enjoyed maintaining the greenest lawn and brightest flowers in town as well as growing tomatoes and turnips. He made sure not to miss watching the CU Buffs, Broncos, and Rockies on TV. He enjoyed going to Blackhawk and attended “Muffin Club” every Tuesday and Friday morning for well over thirty years.
He was a faithful parishioner of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Boulder. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church on Tuesday August 22, 2017 at 10:00am.
Donations may be made in memory of Tom to: Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School: 1317 Mapleton Ave. Boulder, CO 80304 (Please note: In memory of Thomas Reed).
Arrangements under the direction of Crist Mortuary, Boulder, CO.
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