Thomas Allison Schroeder

Thomas Allison Schroeder was born January 13, 1947, in Newton, Kansas, and died May 27, 2026, at the age of 79. A longtime resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Thomas will be remembered as a beloved and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend—someone whose steady kindness, thoughtful attention, and quiet wisdom left a lasting mark on all who knew him. He carried himself with genuine politeness and an unwavering respect for others, and he had a gift for pairing good sense with a warm, often funny, way of seeing the world. Anyone who met Thomas did not forget him; he connected deeply, listened closely, and made people feel that their lives mattered.

Thomas was always proud of his 1950s and 1960s small-town roots. Raised on Pine Street, he enjoyed the kind of childhood where school was close enough to walk or bike to, and home was close enough to return for lunch. The second child of Allison and Margaret Schroeder, he grew up with a love for the outdoors, adventure, friends, and family. He graduated from Newton High School in 1965 and continued his education at Bethel College and then Wichita State University in the late 1960s, originally pursuing a degree in Architecture/Drafting Design—an early reflection of the careful eye and patient precision that would define so much of his life.

A hard-working man who believed in being prepared and doing things the right way, Thomas worked at Dillons Grocery and Katz Drug Store during his middle school and high school years. In the late 1960s, he began a career at Santa Fe Railroad, a chapter that produced some of the most unforgettable stories—tales so vivid and dramatic they stayed with those lucky enough to hear them. He spent much of the 1970s working as a millwright, and his lifelong love of woodworking took root as he watched Charles Moddrell at Moddrell Cabinet Shop in Abilene, Kansas. Thomas continued along that path with a career at Precision Pattern in Wichita, Kansas, until 1984, when he began a new career with Pella Windows and Doors Company. Over 23 years with Pella, he became known as a talented and dedicated salesman who built true relationships—friendships—with builders, contractors, co-workers, and customers alike. He retired in 2007.

Thomas’s life was anchored by family. He was the son of Allison (1916–1995) and Margaret Schroeder (1918–2011). He is survived by his loving sister, Nancy (1943–), and his brother-in-law, Russell Park (1946–). Thomas met Nancy Moddrell (1953–) in Abilene, Kansas, in 1971, and they quickly became a “talk of the town” couple. They married in 1976 and shared many years together until 1983. They welcomed two sons whom Thomas loved and cared for dearly: Ryan Thomas Schroeder (1978–) and Weston James Schroeder (1980–).

In 1988, Thomas met his second wife, Nancy Elaine Lynam (1945–), and they married in November of 1989, bringing two families together, including Nancy’s sons Ray Holden (1968–) and Tim Holden (1973–). Thomas’s devotion as a husband was extraordinary; for many years he lovingly served as Nancy’s care-provider as she faced a terrible disease requiring significant care and support. He remained steadfast in that role until his final days, a living example of what it means to love with constancy, tenderness, and strength.

Thomas had wonderful daughters-in-law Amy, Andrea, Jill, and Gerry, and he cherished his six special grandkids: Mick Schroeder (2010–), Liam Schroeder (2013–), Brecklyn Schroeder (2018–), Beau Schroeder (2021–), Raymond Holden V (1998–), and Ruby Holden (2008–). He also took special pride in teaching his sons the love of camping—an appreciation they now pass on to their own children, carrying forward a tradition of family time, gratitude for the outdoors, and shared memory-making.

In 2012, Thomas and Nancy moved from Wichita to Colorado Springs, fulfilling a dream he had carried since boyhood. Colorado had long called to him ever since his earliest childhood memories of vacations to Estes Park with his dearest lifelong best friend, Steve Murphree, and family. He made sure his sons experienced Colorado’s beauty early—one trip when Ryan was just nine months old—and those summer and fall trips became treasured family traditions. Thomas’s love for Colorado remained a defining joy, and he was grateful to have lived in the state for 15 years.

Trying to list all of Thomas’s hobbies and special interests would take days. He poured his energy into collecting, building, fixing, restoring, and organizing—using his hands to express an artistry rooted in restoration, creation, repair, and order. If he started a project, he finished it, and he did not stop until it was not merely complete, but exact. He restored classic cars from junk condition to trophy-winning quality, drew architectural designs before beginning projects, and returned again and again to woodworking, building special Christmas gifts for his family each year. His patience and attention to detail set him apart; there seemed to be nothing he could not fix, and he quietly delighted in the chance to use his skills. He loved fast cars, old trains, and rock ’n’ roll.

Thomas also had his simple joys: a sweet tooth satisfied by dark chocolate in the evening, and the kind of late-night snacks that made long conversations and story-telling feel even more like home. He was famously punctual—never late, always planning ahead to be five minutes early. He was old school in the best sense: at any given time, he might carry two thousand dollars in his wallet, because to him, cash was king. And he treasured the tradition of going to his favorite Mexican restaurant, “Connie’s,” a longstanding family-owned business that served his favorite meal for many years. Friday night was for Connie’s, and leaving it behind when he moved to Colorado was no small sacrifice; he missed it every week.

Thomas cared deeply about people—their stories, their health, their well-being—and he showed that care through sincere attention and everyday decency. He valued common sense and thoughtfulness, and he raised his sons to be courteous and to use manners, believing that being a “good human” to everyone you meet matters. He was also proudly devoted to his country and gave financial support to the U.S. military through the USO program. In addition, he donated to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

In his final days, Thomas was in great care at Penrose Hospital, Center at Centennial, and Center Care Hospice. The family extends heartfelt thanks for their efforts and support.

“Dad, you were our hero, our teacher, our champion, and our best friend. Our families have been blessed for eternity by knowing you and feeling the love from you. Your story and memories live on forever through us. It is our duty to always celebrate you, share your passion for life, and spread the greatness we inherited from you to others we meet along the way. May you always know how much you were loved and respected by all of your family and many wonderful friends. Rest In Peace.”