Thomas Warren Gorges

Col. (ret.) Thomas Warren Gorges died at his home in Castle Rock, Colorado, on September 24, 2021 following a difficult battle with a very aggressive cancer. He was surrounded in death by members of his loving family. He is survived by his loving wife, Luz Dar, son Brian (Susan) and stepson Andres Quinonez (Katie Wolf), sister Jeanne Pees (Gerald), and brothers Charles (Dagmar), Larry (Susan), and Mark (Deborah). He was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Bernice Gorges. Tom’s grandchildren include, Cala Quinonez, Phoebe, Molly, Josie Gorges.

Tom was born on April 4, 1943, in Andale, Kansas. He graduated from Andale Rural High School in 1961, and entered the US Air Force Academy in Colorado in June 1961. He graduated from the Academy in June 1965 with a B.S. degree in Engineering Science. While at the Academy he excelled in academics, military studies, and athletics. His outstanding performance as a cadet was recognized by his designation to the Superintendents, Deans, and Commandants Lists.

During his four years at the Academy Tom was a standout football player. He and his teammates were instrumental in establishing the young air Force Falcons as a top major college team as they competed against a schedule that included Notre Dame, Washington, UCLA, Penn State and Army. Tom played at the tackle position when the very first Falcon touchdown was scored in the brand-new Falcon Stadium in 1962. While playing as a first team guard in his 1963 junior year, Tom and his Falcon teammates were frequently among the top twenty nationally ranked teams. They defeated the top ten ranked Washington and Nebraska teams and went on to compile a 7-3 win-loss record. That record led to a berth in the Gator Bowl against North Carolina. Tom was named by the Nebraska Cornhuskers to their 1963 all-opponent team. Tom was regarded as the finest defensive lineman up to that time in falcon history. He also was awarded the Harper trophy for “Consistently Outstanding Performance 1964 Football Season United States Air Force Academy”. Tom was a stalwart, tough competitor, and fierce blocker and tackler playing both offense and defense.

After his graduation in June 1965, Tom was asked to delay the start of his duty career in the Air Force to serve as a Graduate Assistant Coach on the Falcons Football Staff. He filled that assignment with great enthusiasm and success. Following his Assistant Coaching role, Tom completed a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. His extensive military career that followed included command and management leadership assignments at several installations in the US and Washington DC, as well as Germany, the Philippines, and Vietnam. His outstanding performance in those assignments earned him numerous military awards and decorations, to include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and several other prestigious citations. Tom served with honor and integrity for 30 years in the US Air Force before retiring as a full colonel in 1995. He was proud to have served his nation with honor and distinction.

Following retirement from the military he worked as a senior executive on various engineering projects in private industry for Jacobs Engineering Group, JE Remediation Inc. and Talisman Partners LTD. He retired fully in 2014.

Tom’s hobbies included climbing the “fourteeners” in Colorado, skiing, reading, and visiting with family and friends. But most of all, and second only to his love of family, Tom thrived in the camaraderie and tradition that are part of USAFA Falcon football. He loved following the Falcon football team, watching them practice and play, discussing their accomplishments and prospects with fellow fans, and enjoying all the traditions and rituals that went with game day. Tom and Luz Dary were always key participants in the pre-and post-game tailgates and other Falcon football support activities. Their numerous family and friend visitors were always treated to those festivities. Air Force football had no greater fan!

All who knew Tom were enamored by his honesty, integrity, sense of community, and love of football, the Academy, and the nation. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. May he rest in Peace.

Services will be at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Memorials to be considered to annual fund gift AFAAC (Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation) 2168 Seal House Dr., ASAFA, Colorado, 80840 c/o Falcons Football, Col. (ret.) Thomas Gorges.