Thomas L. Koepke

Thomas Leo Koepke, August 4, 1944 – July 25, 2020

Thomas Leo Koepke, Tom, was born in Kimberly Wisconsin on August 4, 1944 to Lee and Leone Koepke and was the youngest of three children. Along with his older sister and brother, Sandra (Koepke) Pricer and James Koepke, Tom moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1950. There he attended Inez Elementary, and Monroe Middle School. Tom graduated from Manzano High School in 1962. After graduating, Tom joined the United States Army. He served under the rank of Private in Company B, 5th Battalion, 3rd Regiment. During his service, he received special recognition for marksmanship. He met Judith Clark in the 8th grade and the couple married on September 4, 1964 at St. John’s Methodist Church in Albuquerque. He had two daughters, Tamera (Koepke) Herreid and Cherity Koepke. Tom worked for the Public Service Company of New Mexico for 26 years, where he retired from upper management in 1988. Tom attended Redeemer Lutheran Church in Albuquerque and was an active member, serving the church for many years as a committee leader, usher and church elder. In 2007, Tom and Judy moved to Thornton, Colorado and became members of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Broomfield, Colorado where he again served the church and made many friends through Golden Oldies. Tom loved to travel. He and Judy traveled the world and were often joined by family and friends on their adventures. He traveled to 14 countries and 43 states with Hawaii being among his favorite destinations. A cowboy at heart, Tom loved country music, riding horses, a good pair of jeans and western movies, especially those featuring John Wayne. However, his greatest loves were his family, friends and furry companions. 

After waging a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, Tom died peacefully in his sleep on July 25, 2020. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Leone Koepke, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mary Alice and Ethol Clark, his sister, Sandra (Koepke) Pricer, brother-in-law, Kenneth Mayhugh, nephew Mark Olson and several close friends. Tom is survived by his wife Judith Koepke, daughters Tamera (Koepke) Herreid and Cherity Koepke, son-in-law, Neil Herreid, brother James Koepke, sisters-in-law, Alice Koepke, Nita Mayhugh and Darla Clark, brothers-in-law, Norman Pricer and Charles Clark, nieces and nephews, Jeffrey and Marie Pricer, Kristen Olson, Deborah and Aaron Alberti, Shannon and Scott McGee, Donald and Desiree Koepke, Jason and Luci Clark, Brittany Clark and great nieces and nephews, Kaitlyn and Amanda Olson, Dominic, Gabrielle and Jonathan Alberti, Sean, Heather and Meaghan Koepke and Guinevere Clark. 

A private memorial service will be held at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church. 

At a future date, a memorial service will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

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