Thomas James Lahey

With great sadness and love, we announce the passing of Thomas James (Jim) Lahey who died peacefully on May 9, 2026, at home, surrounded by his wife Catherine of nearly 73 years, and a circle of loving family members.

Jim was born on August 12, 1928 to Prosper John Lahey and Ellen Marcella (Nell) Ryan in the Carmac farmhouse southwest of Solomon, Kansas, in a year when the Smoky Hill River was overflowing its banks, and the doctor arrived by a horse-drawn wagon. Jim was the youngest of six children. Until about the age of 9, Jim lived in several homes that had neither electricity nor plumbing. Jim attended several one room school houses, one of which was nicknamed the Cracker Box. After grade school, Jim attended Solomon High School where he enjoyed playing football, basketball, acting in theater classes, and playing the drums in the school band. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Salina, Kansas. Fresh out of high school in 1946, Jim enlisted in the United States Army at Marshall Field, Kansas, completing basic training at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, immediately followed by a tour in Korea. After completing his military service, Jim attended St. Benedict’s College in Atchison, Kansas earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1952. Jim began working for a collection agency in Dodge City, Kansas. While attending college, Jim had met “the love of his life” Catherine Wolters. Jim and Catherine were married July 18, 1953 at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Atchison, Kansas. They lived briefly in Dodge City, Kansas where their eldest son, Jim Jr., was born. The Lahey family moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1955 where Jim started his Civil Service career. Jim eventually achieved the rank of GS13 as a Budget Analyst for the United States Air Force, working at Ent Air Force Base, and retiring in 1981. While performing critical budgetary job duties, Jim enjoyed traveling to the Pentagon and to the DEW Line (Distant Early Warning) at the Air force Base in Thule, Greenland.

Jim’s devotion to his Catholic faith and his faithful leadership within the church and for his family was evident throughout his life. Jim became an altar server at a young age at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Solomon, Kansas. Upon moving to Colorado Springs, Jim and Catherine lived on North Tejon Street initially attending Corpus Christi Catholic Church. They moved to Security, Colorado in 1957, helping to establish and become charter members of Holy Family Catholic Church. In 1964, as they outgrew their home in Security, they moved back to Colorado Springs. They became members of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and have been contributing parishioners for over 62 years! Each of their nine children received the Sacrament of Confirmation at Holy Trinity Parish. Jim was an active member of the Knights of Columbus becoming a “Fourth Degree Knight” in 1959, alongside his father and brother John. Jim served within the Catholic church in many ways including as a lector, serving as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, working as a financial officer, and participating on the parish council.

Jim worked hard to take care of his wife, children, and grandchildren, always enjoying each and every family activity and celebration. Jim and Catherine lovingly enjoyed celebrating over 72 years of marriage! Raising nine children was heroic as they actively supported each child’s musical, artistic, athletic, and educational interests. Jim became a necessary “special education” advocate while the youngest of his nine children attended school. Jim was a devoted and proud grandpa, great-grandpa, and uncle to many nieces and nephews, exemplified by attending as many sporting events, graduations, weddings, and family gatherings as he could.

Retiring in 1981, Jim stayed busy selling solar hot water systems, doing tax returns for friends and family, and began learning how to cook while Catherine went to work. Jim found joy and satisfaction in leisure time activities spent with family and friends while playing golf, fishing at Cripple Creek Mountain Estates, bowling, traveling, and in driving the Lahey’s Itasca RV. Adventures included trips to Alaska, Ireland, and England where he, Catherine, and Ed experienced new parts of the world. Jim, Catherine, Colleen, and Ed were lucky enough to travel to Ireland twice! Jim demonstrated a passion for driving nice and fast cars. He was constantly yearning for a return visit to see his hometown of Solomon, Kansas and to visit relatives in Atchison, Kansas for “one last trip”! Jim was an avid reader and writer taking particular interest in the history of the Civil War. He also spent time recording his own life story. He loved reciting the “Gettysburg Address”, “Casey at the Bat”, and a variety of historical poems including those written by Joyce Kilmer, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Ernest Thayer. Weaved into his life was his love for music and sharing that love for music with family and friends. He encouraged each and every child to play an instrument, to participate in dancing, or to appreciate the history of music as he enjoyed it. Music was always playing on his cherished iPad when anyone came to visit! He often encouraged his “talented” family members to sing or to play their instruments for him. Jim especially enjoyed time spent dancing with his wife Catherine at church events (Saint Patrick’s Day & Saint Valentine’s Day), and on special occasions, they would go dancing at the Broadmoor Tavern. Jim often expressed his patriotism as evidenced by serving in the Army, by working for the Air Force, by being a Fourth Degree Knight, by being an avid voter and election judge, and by instilling that commitment to his children.

Jim was a kind hearted and gentle soul who had a great sense of humor and who thoroughly celebrated his Irish heritage in that he was at least 99.9% Irish! He rewarded his many friends and family with his “gift of gab” and he was full of blarney! Jim enjoyed sharing stories and telling jokes. He was always friendly, happy to meet new people, and thrilled to make new friends. He was always asking “Where ya from?”. His love for and devotion to his family and friends was apparent, appreciated, and reciprocated as he participated and enjoyed celebrating each and every holiday, family reunion, and special occasion.

Our fun-loving husband, dad, grandfather, uncle, dedicated Holy Trinity parishioner, and dear friend to all who knew him, will be sincerely missed by all of us! We believe that he is now enjoying God’s eternal embrace. Famous quotes by Jim: “Let’s go!” and “Here comes that rainbow again!”.

Left to cherish Jim’s memories are his loving wife, Catherine; and children, Jim (Nancy), Maribeth Netherton (Steve), Mike (Jayme), Pat (Craig), Maureen Scheuer (Rich), Bill (Bobbi), Cathleen Berve, Colleen Garland (Greg), and Ed. He is also survived by sixteen grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and family relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, Prosper and Nell (Ryan); and by his five siblings, Mary, Fr. John, Helen, Don, and Donna (Sexton).

Visitation Service: Monday, June 1, 2026 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., with Rosary at 5:30 p.m. at Swan Law Funeral Home, 501 North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Funeral Mass: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 3122 Poinsetta Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80907, with reception to follow in the Hope House from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Committal Service / Burial with Military Honors will follow at Evergreen Cemetery at 2:30 p.m., 1005 Hancock Expressway, Colorado Springs, CO 80903