Tom Callahan

Tom Callahan of Arvada, Colorado, passed away on May 10, 2017, at the age of 71. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Cathy; sons, Doug, Paul (Michele) and John; grandchildren, Ashley Shea, Andrew, Claire and Adam; and great granddaughter, Alaya. He is also survived by his sister, Pat. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Ethyle and Clayton; sister, Kay and brother, Mike. Born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Tom attended St. Matthew Grade School, Premontre and received a BA in Business Administration from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin. Upon graduation and being commissioned a Second Lieutenant, through ROTC at St. Norbert's, Tom went on to serve at Ft. Eustis, Virginia, Fort Deven, Massachusetts, Vietnam and Ft. Ord, California. Tom was a salesman for two computer companies. After retirement he donated much of his time to helping others. He prepared taxes and while he was able, did handyman work for the elderly through the Senior Resource Center. As a member of the Knights of Columbus, he prepared vegetables for soups and salads for the homeless. While volunteering at Lutheran Medical Center, he installed Lifeline units and drove a golf cart bringing patients, staff and visitors to and from the parking lots. In their younger years, Tom and Cathy fostered infants through Catholic Charities and later in life fostered puppies, rescued from kill shelters. He also volunteered as an Arvada Reservoir Ranger and at the Arvada Center for the Performing Arts. One of his favorite joys was to go fishing with his sons every year in West Yellowstone, Wyoming and will be forever proud that he has the only fish that was ever worthy of mounting. Tom and Cathy enjoyed traveling to far reaches of the earth and managed to see 5 of the 7 continents together, and always made sure to make friends on each of their journeys. But above it all, he was simply a great family man and dad. He coached all three of his sons' basketball teams and never missed a game or meet as they competed in basketball, volleyball and track through high school. Tom stayed deeply involved in all three of their lives as they started families of their own, grew personally and professionally and was always proud to have been their father. He loved God, family and life. Recitation of the Rosary will be Thursday, May 18, 2017, 10:30 AM with Funeral Mass to follow at 11:00 AM at Spirit of Christ Catholic Church, 7400 West 80th Avenue, Arvada, Colorado. Committal Services with Military Honors will be held following at 2:15 PM at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Area ""C,"" 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, Colorado. In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Tom's honor to: Fisher House Foundation 111 Rockville Pike #420 Rockville, Maryland 20850 Or Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Inc. 3033 Wilson Blvd. Suite 630 Arlington, Virginia 22201 Please share your memories of Tom and condolences with his family by signing the guest book below.