Thomas Joseph Soisson

Cdr. Thomas Joseph Soisson, USN Ret., 91, of Lakewood, Colorado, originally from Connellsville, Pennsylvania, died at his home August 20, 2012 after a long illness. A devout Catholic all his life, he was born on the Feast of Assumption in 1921, and had a great devotion to the Blessed Mother. Cdr. Soisson, Class of 1944, graduated from the Naval Academy in 1943, due to accelerated studies during WWII. He graduated from the Naval War College in 1954. He was a carrier pilot during the transition time to jet fighters, as well as a test pilot for the Air Force F86 Sabre-Jet in Columbus, OH. Cdr. Soisson and a fellow Navy officer had direct charge of monitoring radar units to track their friend, Alan Shephard, and locate him when his capsule landed in the Atlantic Ocean after his historic first sub-orbital flight in May 1961. Cdr. Soisson retired in 1966 from NORAD as Chief of the Space Defense Branch. After his retirement from the Navy, the Soissons owned a window blind/awning company in Colorado Springs. Soisson was preceded in death by his son, T. Jeffrey Soisson, M.D. his parents, and seven older siblings. He is survived by his wife of 59 years Marilyn Stenger Soisson, formerly of Lancaster, OH, and four daughters: Lynn M. King and husband Boyd of Abilene, TX; Ellen W. Glover of Aurora, CO; Judith R. Kaltenbacher and husband Kris of Colorado Springs, CO; Dianne C. Warns and husbaend Mike of Lakewood, Colorado and 16 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He had a life-long love of learning and was an avid reader. He led by example for his love of God, Family and Country. There will be a Visitation Sunday, August 26, 2012 from 6:00pm until 7:00pm with Recitation of the Rosary following. Both at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 3101 South Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood, Colorado 80227. Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, August 28, 2012, 10:00am at Our Lady of the Snow Catholic Church, 4101 Lamar Street, Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033. Interment to follow at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, Colorado 80235. Please share your memories of Thomas and condolences with his family by selecting the ""Sign Guestbook"" link.