Thomas Meagher Obituary

Meagher
Thomas Francis Vincent Meagher
August 9, 1935
October 8, 2023

Thomas Francis Vincent Meagher died peacefully, on October 8th, at Sunny Vista Living Center, in Colorado Springs, CO.
Thomas was born on August 9th, 1935, the second of two children, to Agnes and Martin Meagher. Martin, an insurance man by profession, owned and worked a small cattle farm and fruit orchard on the fertile eastern plains of Ellensburg, WA. Tom and his sister Margaret shared a tight bond throughout their life as each other's confidante and friend. The two attended school in Ellensburg, from elementary through high school. In second grade, with his mother at this side, Tom pointed to a blue-eyed girl on the school playground and declared, "Mom, that's the girl I'm going to marry!"
Thirteen years later, in 1956, marry her, he did! Tom and Alberta (Bert) were married just shy of 66 years, before her passing in 2022. They raised 7 children and a menagerie of animals in their hilltop home, in Upper Skyway.
It was after high school, and 3 years of service in the US Army, that Tom returned to marry the girl he admired all those years before. After the birth of their first child, Mike, the two moved to Seattle, where, on the GI Bill, Tom attended the University of Washington. Brian was born soon after. Tom, studying for a degree in electrical engineering, worked as a janitor in the evening to support their rapidly growing family.
After graduation, the family moved to Livermore, CA, where four more children were welcomed into the family, Kathy, Scott, Chris, and Keri. Tom completed a Master's degree in Applied Science from UC Davis, while working at Sandia Laboratories, from 1960—1967. Throughout his career Tom worked in the nuclear defense industry, in the development of sensors and software to assess, predict, and defend against the impact of nuclear explosions on physical structures.
A career opportunity at Kaman Sciences brought the young Meagher family to Colorado Springs, where Tom's 7th child, Tim, was born. After more than a decade, Tom left Kaman, launching Aptek Inc, an aerospace defense company. He served as CEO of Aptek until his retirement in the early 2010s.
Tom was a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the American Defense Preparedness Association, The US Space Foundation, and has been listed as a noteworthy research and development company executive by Marquis Who's Who.
Although most who knew Tom might readily identify his myriad of outdoor interests, in particular his love of the vast open plains, prairies and mountains, few people know of Tom's career accomplishments. He was humble in his own accomplishments, yet ready to herald the accomplishments of others. Tom was righteous, with an unwavering moral compass. His faith formed the core of his being and was inseparable from him as a man. As a father, and grandfather, he supported and encouraged the diverse interests of his children and grandchildren, scaffolded by the lessons of a deep and abiding faith.
His own interests included elk hunting, fly fishing, archery, and sailing Colorado's Lake Dillon. In his middle age, Tom and Bert took up skiing, spending the greater part of winter weekends on Copper Mountain. With his wife's encouragement, Tom took up golf, much to his delight...and sometimes dismay.
Tom was a strong conversationalist, a good friend, and a fine man. He left this life, much as he lived it, surrounded by faith and family.
Tom is preceded in death by his beloved wife Alberta, daughter Keri, son-in-law Dean, and dear sister Maggie (McGreevy). He is survived by 6 children, 13 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
A Funeral Mass is scheduled for 10:30 AM, October 23rd at St Paul's Catholic Church, 9 El Pomar Rd. There will also be a Rosary at 9:45, for those who wish to attend. Following a private burial service, a reception, open to all, will be held at 1:00, with location to be announced.