Robert Allen Thomas

Robert Allen Thomas (66) of Larkspur, CO passed away at home on Sunday, September 2, 2012. He is survived by Betty, his loving wife of 43 years; two sons, James R. Thomas (Rebecca) and their son Teegan, Scott D. Thomas (Amie) and their daughters, Gracie Sue and Charlye; a brother, James D. Thomas, and four cousins.

Bob was born in Colorado Springs in 1945 and the family moved to the Green Valley Ranch in Larkspur in 1950. He attended school in Larkspur, was an active member of 4-H and the counties livestock judging program, had the Grand Champion Steer at the County Fair, played high school basketball, was a member of the Dance Band, graduated from Douglas County High School in 1963. He attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Animal Production degree in 1968. It was at CSU where he and Betty met. They were married in September of that year and moved back to the family ranch in Larkspur. Bob worked for Castle Rock Feed for several years before joining Keyston Bros Riding Goods of Denver in 1982, serving as Branch Manager overseeing saddle and strap goods manufacturing and wholesale sales. Bob and Betty were blessed with two sons and the family pursued Bob’s love of horses and rodeo. He volunteered at the Douglas County Fair with the rodeo events and 4-H livestock, becoming a board member in 1982. In 1985 the family moved to Reno, Nevada, where Bob became Vice President of Keyston Bros., Riding Goods located in Sparks.

In 1992, Keyston Bros. opened Horseman’s Headquarters retail store in Castle Rock and Bob and Betty returned to Douglas County in 1994. A second retail store was soon opened in Fort Collins with Bob managing both stores. As Keyston changed their business focus the Fort Collins store was closed and Bob purchased the Castle Rock location. Being back in Colorado allowed Bob the opportunity to rejoin the Douglas County Fair Board where he volunteered with the rodeo, vendor booths and became fair manager. He proudly served as a board member and treasurer for 19 years. Other interests included; calf roping, team roping, Western movies and books, sports and ranching. He was a past member of the Douglas County Sherriff’s Posse and a member, for 31 years, of Western English Sales Association (WESA).

A celebration of Bob’s life will take place at 2:00pm on Friday, September 7, 2012 at the Douglas County Event Center in Castle Rock. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his name to the Douglas County Fair Foundation Scholarship Fund, 500 Fairgrounds Drive, Castle Rock, CO 80104.

The family encourages friends to visit Bob’s online guest book where visitors may contribute their own stories, messages and memories. This collection will be printed for Bob’s grandchildren, as a tribute to their “Papa”. To sign the on-line register book, visit www.olingerandrews.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Roberts name to the Douglas County Fair Foundation Scholarship Fund.