Thomas "Tom" Richard Ware

Thomas (Tom) Richard Ware, born on January 25, 1930, in Webster Springs, West Virginia, passed away at the age of 95 in his sleep February 13, 2025. Thomas was the youngest son of Lawrence and Lyde Skidmore Ware. Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Bill, and Jim, and his wife of 66 years, Barbara Ware. Survived by his three sons: Lawrence R. Ware, Michael R. Ware, Paul J. Ware, and his granddaughter Taylor A Ware.

Thomas graduated from Webster Springs High School, and joined the US Air Force at age 18. The USAF became his home for 27+ years. Stationed in many places, including Okinawa during the Korean Conflict, he eventually was sent to a joint use air base near Liverpool England where he met and married Barbara Ware ( Spackman). His first son, Lawrence was born while Thomas was stationed near Liverpool. The Air Force next moved him to a joint use air base near Ayr, Scotland, where his second son Michael was born. Thomas and family eventually ended up in Aurora, CO where his third son Paul was born.

While in the Air Force, Thomas worked in a classified field called “Special Instruments.”

Officially, he was usually assigned to a weather reconnaissance squadron.

After 27+ years Thomas retired from the US Air Force, and worked as a Realtor for about a year.

Thomas then joined the Xerox Corp as a technical representative, and worked as both a Tech Rep, and as a trainer for new reps for about 12 years.

After 12 years with Xerox, Thomas moved to a civilian position within the US Department of Defense (DoD) as an instructor in the Special Instruments field. Traveling between Air Force, (now Space Force) facilities from Cape Canaveral, Florida to Vandenberg AFB in California, Thomas developed curriculum for USAF Special Instruments schools.

When Thomas retired, Barbara and Tom traveled the USA and Canada in their RV, visiting from Florida to the Arctic Circle in Alaska. They also took many Cruses, traveling from Alaska to South America, the East and West Caribbean, including through the Panama Canal.

Tom was an active member of several retired Air Force personal organizations, and several fraternal organizations, staying in touch with co-workers and friends he made over his career.

A memorial service for Tom will be held Sunday, February 23, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Olinger Hampden Mortuary & Cemetery, 8600 East Hampden Ave, Denver, CO 80231. A reception will occur Sunday, February 23, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 8600 East Hampden Ave, Denver, CO 80231. A graveside service will occur Friday, April 18, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 S Sheridan Blvd, Denver, CO 80236 Staging Area "C".

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Tom's memory may be made to Disabled American Veteran's, P.O. Box 145525 , Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-5525 US, www.dav.org.