Tom Tesone

Thomas John Tesone, age 66, passed away in Greeley, Colorado on June 8, 2021 of pancreatic cancer. 

Born July 20, 1954 in Denver, Colorado, Tom is the oldest son of Fred and Lois Tesone of Louisville, Colorado. Tom lived in Littleton, Boulder, Aurora, Centennial, Highlands Ranch, Denver, and Greeley, Colorado. Tom attended Euclid Middle School, Cherry Creek High School and University of Colorado, Boulder.

Tom was the recipient of the Golden Helmet Award in 1972 and numerous awards while playing quarterback for Cherry Creek under the coaching of his father, Coach Fred Tesone. Tom was recruited by 40 colleges to play football and ultimately chose to stay close to home and become a lifelong Colorado Buffalo. He was recruited as a quarterback and then played free safety. After playing at CU he signed on as a free agent with the Green Bay Packers, but previous knee injuries prevented him from playing football as a career. 

Tom met his high school sweetheart, Becky Gaiser Tesone, at Creek and 5 years later they married on May 28, 1977. Together they have five children and nine grandchildren. Tom and Becky just celebrated 44 years of marriage. 

Tom worked as a PE teacher, coached football, basketball and track, owned his own business Complete Closets & More, and could fix most things around the house. Coach Tesone enjoyed his time coaching and teaching at Cherry Creek, Mullen, Rock Canyon, Chapparel, as head coach at Ranum and Bishop Machebeuf, and in his last years at Frontier Academy. He was able to coach his own kids as well. He also loved biking, fishing and woodworking. He was happiest spending time with family, building with his tools in the garage, or tying flies for fishing in the mountains. 

Tom’s Christian faith was important to him and was displayed most in his love of others. Tom will be remembered for his servant heart and kind spirit.

Tom is preceded in death by his grandparents; John and Edith Chiolino, James and Jennie Tesone, and his sister, Edie Tesone.

Tom is survived by his wife Becky, his parents; Fred and Lois Tesone, his brothers; Jim, Tim, John and Ron, many nieces and nephews, and his children and grandchildren: Nichole & Heath Miller (Stella), Travis & Ashley Tesone (Benaiah Thomas, Ada), Nina & Pablo Aguirre (Isabella, Ileana, Gabriella and Lucia), Nichelle Tesone & Jeremey Bongers, and Fred & Katie Tesone (William, Theodore). 

The family would like to thank our loved ones for the numerous messages, prayers, meals, love and support since Tom’s original diagnosis in August 2018.  We owe huge gratitude to the various medical professionals along the way. Special thanks to Tom’s caring oncologist Dr. Lieu and his staff at UC Health. We are thankful for the nearly three extra years of life together. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at Journey Christian Church in Greeley, 4754 W. 31st St. Greeley, CO 80634 at 2pm on Sunday June 13, 2021. Dress will be casual with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Toms name to one of the following organizations: 

• Buffs4Life is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping former Buffs and their families in need. Please consider a donation to Buffs4Life in support of Tom's family. 

• Fred and Katie Tesone-Youth With A Mission (YWAM). Fred (Tom's son) and Katie are missionaries based in Kona, Hawaii serving with YWAM (Account #2007). They help train and equip young adults to know God and launch them into the nations to share the gospel.

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