Thomas "Tomas" Francisco Mendoza

Thomas “Tomás” Francisco Mendoza, aged 74, passed peacefully into the arms of our LORD from a glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor, at University Hospital, Aurora, CO, on August 31, 2023. He was surrounded by loved ones who will miss him dearly.

Tomás was born March 11, 1949, in Trinidad, CO, to TSgt John and Clorinda Mendoza. His father had been in the U.S. Air Force, was stationed in Panama and, as a child, Tomás enjoyed traveling to Puerto Rico and other places with his parents and siblings Betty and Bob. As a young adult he enrolled in Job Corps, Utah, in basic training, then traveled working on projects and different assignments. At one point, he even worked as a model for men’s hair.

Tomás enjoyed volunteering through the Prison Ministry and working with at-risk youth through Heritage Christian Center (HCC). At HCC he was always quick to volunteer for Thanksgiving outreaches, the men’s choir, acting in plays whenever a Roman soldier was needed, security, ushering, and taking classes that were offered. HCC is where Tomás took his first course on the Hebrew Roots of the Christian Faith, taught by Rabbi Ralph Messer. Tomás and his wife Pahmela had been members of HCC, then became members of Simchat Torah Beith Midrash (STBM). They studied under Rabbi Ralph Messer through STBM and the International Center for Torah Studies (ICTS) learning Torah and Hebrew.

Tomás retired from the State of Colorado Custodial Services in 2012. Also in 2012, he enrolled in Everest College in the Criminal Justice Youth Probationary Program to support his long-time dream of working with at-risk youth. Tomás graduated with an associate degree in 2014 with his proud soon-to-be wife Pahmela by his side. Tomás had met Pahmela, August 30, 2008, and they married under a chuppah on June 12, 2015. The two shared many common interests. Family and STBM time were their priority, but they also loved traveling, action movies, different cultures and their languages, opera, plays, music, poetry, history, and geography. They loved life together.

Tomás was preceded in death by his father TSgt John Thomas Mendoza, mother Clorinda (Chavez) (Mendoza) Silva, brother Robert Mendoza, and his uncles Phil Chavez and Ernie Chavez. He leaves behind his sister Betty White and niece Meghan White (CO); daughter Alicia Martinez (CO); his uncles Bill Chavez, George Chavez, and Larry Chavez and their families (CA), Gene Chavez and his family (CO), and his aunt JoAnne Fishleigh (CO); he leaves behind his wife Pahmela Mendoza, sister and brother Deborah and Mikeilah “Mikki” Kennedy-LeFae; sister and brother Carlotta and Nick Millyard (CO); sister Alicia Hines, niece Sydney Hines, and nephew Adyn Hines (TX); nephew and niece William and his wife Tamika Smith and their children Avery Smith and Deliá Smith (MI); nephew and niece John Taylor and Chelsea White and their children Naya and John Michael Jr., and Emma Whitney Perry (CO); niece Sasha White and her son Amar’e White (CO); nephew and niece Zahar “Z” Mousadji and Brittney White and their daughter Raiya White Mousadji (CO); and many friends and relatives who blessed and enriched his life.

A Taharah Service was held on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at 9:00 am, officiated by Rabbi Ralph Messer, at Horan and McConaty in Aurora. A Memorial Celebration will be held at STBM Parker Center, 18999 Mainstreet, Parker, CO 80134, Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at 10:00 am.