Earl Edward Thwaites

Earl Edward “Ed” Thwaites, Jr., 93, of Windsor, Colorado, passed away Wednesday February 19, 2025. Born in Houston, Texas on August 22, 1931, he was a son of the late Earl Edward Thwaites and Mabel Brelsford Thwaites. Following graduation from Jacksonville (Texas) High School, Ed continued his education at Tyler Community College, Park College in Kansas City, and eventually Yale Divinity School where he received his Masters of Divinity in 1957. After graduation while serving a church in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Ed married Nancy H. Heyliger on July 24, 1960.

For the next 37 years, Ed served as Presbyterian pastor to a number of churches including those in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Joplin, Missouri, Leavenworth, Kansas, and Westminster, Colorado where he retired from full time ministry in 1994. He was a widely valued and beloved spiritual leader, confidant, friend, and counselor to so many of his parishoners over his decades of service to the Presbyterian Church. In his retirement years he greatly treasured his time spent with family and friends, his time spent traveling to some fun spots around the world, and those moments when he could get out into the great outdoors and enjoy the splendor which is our national parks.

Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Nancy Thwaites of the home; children Brian (Katie) Thwaites of North Carolina, Greg (Suzanne) Thwaites of Colorado, Todd (Tena) Thwaites of Colorado; grandchildren Bradley Thwaites of North Carolina, Jennifer (Justin)Thwaites-Maller of New York, Will (Sydney) Thwaites of Colorado, Sara Beth (Colby) Taite-Shaw of Tennessee, Meagan (Jacob) Vigil of Colorado, Natalie Thwaites of Tennessee; great grandchildren Isla and Sophie Shaw of Tennessee, and Teddy Thwaites of Colorado.

In addition to his parents, Ed was predeceased by his sister Oralyn Paine. In addition, he was predeceased by brothers and sisters in law Max Paine, Curtis and Joyce Striegler, and Desmond Heyliger. Memorial service details are pending at this time.

Ed will be missed by all for his wry sense of humor, his appreciation for nature and the outdoors, his love of music, and his unending devotion to his family members and friends.

A celebration of Life will be held on Monday April 21, 2025 at 1:00PM, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3990 W. 74th Ave, Westminster, CO 80030.