Thomas Rogers Obituary

Dear Donna and Family,

Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. God Bless You.

Kitty & Charlie

To Tom's beloved family & friends: I met Tom only once while working on a story for the Gazette, when Cliff Dwellings updated the entryway, and I have never forgotten him, for his kindness and friendly personality. My sincere condolences for your loss.

It was an honor and priviledge to have worked with Tom for eleven years as gardener of The Cliff Dwellings. He sure loved his flowers and all that color! He also loved sneaking up behind me as i was singing at the top of my lungs with my Walkman on. I'll never forget his smile and laugh. I can feel that smile right now. Much love to Donna and all the family.
Here's to you Tom!
Bridget the Gardener

The Rogers Family
I am sorry for your loss. Tommy, Jimmy and I all went to High School together. I would see Tommy over the years and he would always take the time to let me know he had never forgotten me. I wish I could ahve spent more time with him and his family. Take care my friend
Bobby Swain-Wasson Class of 78

To The Rogers Family & Friends,
Our prayers are with you.
He was always joy to talked to, and always had a positive attitude. He treated my family with much respect. He will be missed!
Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. My God of mercy.

To Donna & Family, Shocked & sad to hear about our special friend, Tom. He respected our native culture, group, business & loved him..We will miss his smile!We (Sweetwater) would like to send our deep & sincere sympathy to our family.May the Great Spirit comfort you in time of need. Kenny & Elvira Sweetwater-Sweetwater Plains Indian Dancer & Paul McGinn-The Billings Company.

To Donna & Family, Shocked & sad to hear about our special friend, Tom. He respected our native culture, group, business & loved him..We will miss his smile!We (Sweetwater) would like to send our deep & sincere sympathy to our family.May the Great Spirit comfort you in time of need. Kenny & Elvira Sweetwater-Sweetwater Plains Indian Dancer & Paul McGinn-The Billings Company.

To Tom's family: having done work at the Cliff Dwellings over the years, we came to know Tom as an incredible man, both in business and personally. His example of integrity in everything he did was an amazing example of a Godly, Christian man. Our prayers are with you.
From everyone at Pikes Peak Glass.

God put extra sparkle in that DNA cocktail that became Tom Rogers.
Tom used that gift and shared that gift. And all he touched shine a little brighter today because of that!
Courtney- You are a treasure.! I saw some of that shine factor was passed down to you, when I met you as Danny's neighbor there in Manitou.
To all We pray your memories of his love and that shining life sustain you through your grief!

Donna, Courtney and the rest of Tom's family,
You are in my thoughts at this time. I talked to Tom a few times on the phone but heard wonderful things from Donna. Tara would share about her wonderful parents with my daughter. They are together now. We love you and will help in anyway that we can.

Dear Donna and Courtney

I am stunned and greatly saddened by this news. The kindness to all of us and that infectious, boyish grin will be remembered always. My thought and prayers are with you, I am so sorry for your loss.

Overwhelmed with surprise and sadness when i heard the news, I can't express the amount of pride i had in knowing Tom and the rest of the Rogers family. Even though my time in Colorado was brief i will forever hold and cherish the kindness that was shown to me from a man who showed nothing but strength, heart and a caring spirit. My thoughts and prayers go out to Donna, Courtney, the Rogers family and anyone who's life was touched by this great man.

Dear Donna and Courtney, I am so sorry for your loss. Tom was the most amazing man I had the chance of ever knowing. You guys will forever be one of my favorite families. I am praying for u through this tough time and for as long as I am on this earth. Love u guys and miss you

To the family of Tom Rogers, we would like to express our sincere condolences on his passing. I had the great honor of spending time with Tom at the Boston Red Sox Fantasy Camp in 2008. During or conversations he shared many of his passions and suggested two books to me that I read within a month of returning from camp.

I now operate the Minnesota Twins Baseball Fantasy Camp and can share with you that some of the most signigicant enhancements that we made to the camp are a direct result of input from this incredible man.

May God Bless you all and may the many memories of the happy times you spent together give you comfort today and into the future.

Stan Dickman - Le Mars, IA

Our condolences to Tom's family and friends. We only had the pleasure of meeting up with Tom a few times but even then we knew how special of a person he was. Wow just running into him at Lowes he knew who we were. He was always a happy person and if your where a friend of one of his friends than you where a friend of Tom's. He had a gift for making people smile and welcomed, and what a giver because he gave himself to everyone he meet. Everyone will truly miss him. To Tom's family: I hope all these kind words that we have read in the guest book brings you comfort in knowing what an extrodinary person he is and that now he is in a greater place bringing laughter and love.

I'm stunned and saddened to hear of Tom's passing. I met Tom on the baseball field at our very first Fantasy Camp in Florida years ago. Tom was playing on an opposing team at the time, but I knew he belonged with the great bunch of guys on my team, and the following year our team made that happpen. We all went on for several years after that as Tom's teammates and friends where every winter a week in Florida became a reunion of baseball brothers. We won a couple of championships along the way, but more than anything we shared a camaraderie, with Tom at the forefront of busting everyone's chops with good natured jabs and jokes. I remember the time he and Ken Griggs taped my glove to a pole in the locker room and it took me an hour to get it undone. I almost missed the start of a game. But I got both of them back the next day by taping up their cleats. I can still see the smiles and hear the laughter, because that's what Tom was all about, smiles and laughter. I know Tom will be sadly missed by many, but at the same time those many lives were filled with enrichment, joy, and laughter just from having known and having shared spending some precious time with Tommy Rogers.

Dear Donna and the entire Rogers family and loved ones,
I had the honor of meeting Tom at a Fantasy camp several years ago and played on several of these teams with him. Over the five years I would meet with him, he made me feel like I was a long time friend. Tom, ever since, has always held a special place in my life for sharing the love of baseball with. As I write this I am looking at four Team photos with he and I in them. I am deeply saddened for your loss and quite honestly the world's loss. God every so often blesses us with a person who embodies all that is good. Tom was that unique individual. I am sure right now that Tom is on a field in heaven playing ball with Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig, Ty Cobb etc.
I will light a candle and say my prayers on his and the families behalf.
God Bless you all.

CHARLES MOSS - California

Tom and I did a lot of fantasy camps together and won championship many times. We had great times playing baseball and joking around. I'll miss him, his generosity and friendship.

Dearest Donna and Courtney and all Family,

We have watched from the first diagnosis of Tom's disease. We know he gave it his best fight, just like he put his all into everything he did. And we marvel at how so many family and friends traveled this train wreck of a journey with your family as Donna valiantly gave it her all. We agonized in thought and prayer that the story would have turned out differently. The miraculous moment of walking Courtney down the aisle just weeks ago while, carrying his oxygen tank on one side and beaming with pride as he held her with his other arm will be a moment never to be forgotten.
His absense certainly changes the beauty, interest, and color of our world.
Where did all the energy go? We know he is embracing Tara with much of it.
Tom was a light in darkness, an ever-caring, compassionate person beyond comparison. We personally experienced that giving of self during a dark time in our lives; and I know other's stories that demonstrate his enomous heart. He carried so many of the crosses of others and made them lighter.
But, on a daily basis, he was the spirit who beamed and spear-headed so many fun gatherings with others. He wasn't seeking personal attention; he just wanted to live life to the fullest and include those he cared so much for in the happiness of these events.

Tom lived like Jesus: He was everywhere at the same time bestowing cheer and energy upon those he knew, BUT he never knew a stranger. Those he didn't know were welcomed into his world very quickly.
Everyone was treated specially by him, and he was so special to us. We were so blessed to know him, our lives were filled with Tom's upbeat presence, and Tom will never be forgotten. He was an local icon. Rogers Field at Coronado High School will reflect his passion for life and for others. What an appropriate memorial of his life as their benefactor.
We will walk through this dark valley with you, Donna, just as God promises to do for your family too.
With all our love and sympathy,
Chuck and Helen Armstrong

I only met Thomas a couple times, but was impressed with how vibrant he was and his great sense of humor. I'm very sad his light is gone on earth. I'll look for his special glow among the stars at night and always remember that warm smile. So sorry for your great loss.

Chrissy K. McVay
(sister of Joanne Dreher)

My deepest sympathies go out to you, Donna and Courtney and to all your family. I was not a close friend, nor did I ever get the chance to sit down and talk to him. But he showed his generous spirit to me before I ever met him. My sister and I (from Michigan) were visiting my daughter and son in law in the Springs and my son in law took time from his work to drive us to the Cliff Dwellings. Tom was like a big brother to my son in law and he was visiting Tom in the office. The shirts were displayed outside. My sister and I were shopping for shirts. When we went up to pay for them, the phone outside rang and the clerk smiled, turned to us and said, "There's no charge for your shirts." Tom had gifted the shirts to two women that he had not yet met. He came out later and I was priviliged to shake his hand and thank him. I met him again (and Donna) at a wedding after Tara passed and got to enjoy the game room where Tara was and is honored. In these small ways, Tom touched my life and my heart in huge ways. The compassion, generousity, joy of life and postitive strength of this young man traveled all the way back to Michigan with me. He was truly a gift. I cannot even imagine the grief that the family is living with. I can only wish that the gifts of strength, love and joy that he left behind for them will carry them through the rest of their lives.

Hey Tom, if you are reading this, I'd like to say thank you for what you did for the girls and I at MCD. You were an awesome man to work for. I'll always remember how positive you were--- always wanting to help us out and walking around with a smile. I'll inparticularly remember all the projects you had going on. There was always something to be made better at MCD and it was alot of fun working on them with you. You made time go by fast and just liked to have a good time and joke around while you worked and were productive. Overall, thanks so much- Tom. May you rest in peace and get to see Tara everyday.

I met Tom 18 years ago when I began working at the Cliff Dwellings Museum. I learned very quickly that Tom was like no boss I had ever had before nor will I ever have again. He not only became my friend, but my mentor, confidant and family. I was young and confused about the path my life was on and he immediately took me under his wing and began to help me find my correct place in the world. I am where I am today because of Tom. He believed in me when no one else did and he taught me to believe in myself. I don't know if he ever fully understood the impact he had on my life, I can only hope that he knows now. I will be forever grateful to Tom and Donna for opening their home and hearts to me and for showing me what true friendship really is. Tom, Donna, Courtney and Tara - you will always be in my thoughts and prayers.

We all lost an amazing husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. Tom never knew a stranger. He won our hearts 12 years ago and became a "brother" to Brad and Uncle Tom to our kids. He introduced us to an extended family we would have never known. He was always a mentor and was genuine, honest and giving. He would light up a room; his smile and laughter was contagious. He always made sure everyone felt comfortable and was having fun. He would always go "over the top" to entertain everyone. I'm sure Tara and Tom immediately got busy after he arrived and threw a party that made God's parties look like recreation time at a nursing home. Sorry God but Tom has never done anything half way and heaven will never be the same. We will miss him terribly down here but one day we will all meet up again. Tom, I'll be ready to hear some new stories and Brad will finally have time to play ball. It will be the real "Angel's in the Outfield" team. We'll do our best to carry on your legacy and we'll be there for Donna and Courtney.
Donna and Courtney, Our hearts go out to you both...please reach out whenever you need us. We love you both dearly.

Whether on the court, on the diamond, in the gym, in a restaurant, in his office, your office, or in his home, he made you comfortable! It was an honor and privilege to call him a friend, and even more so for him to call us his friends.
Tom, we'll miss you. Tell Tara we miss her! Donna, you'll forever be in our prayers!

"I would like to say how deeply saddened I am for Donna's loss. I cannot imagine how hard this must be. I can only hope that Tom is with Tara now, who was my best friend...and they are both looking down and watching over us."

Donna And Courtney,

I know that you are going to miss him desperately as will everyone that knew and loved him. You have to know that Tara is thrilled to see her dad again and what a time they must be having now. Donna and Courtney, Reach out to your friends for comfort when you are ready, they are waiting help you both.

Colleen Gafford

Tom was a delightful mixture of Peter Pan (never completely grew up), your mischievous kid brother (he loved to tease and make us laugh), the Energizer bunny, and the All American boy. I loved every email he sent me with either a joke, a funny video or a beautiful slide show. I am a better person and my life is richer because Tom was my friend.
In talking about Tom with several members of Pikes Peak Country Attractions Association, we are sure that right now Tom is telling God to make the pearly gates bigger and that heaven needs better curbside appeal. As soon as he is finished with that conversation, Tom and St. Peter are going to organize a baseball team.

I am so sorry for your loss. Tom was special to us, from the first time we met him and we will always treasure those memories we shared while spending time with Tom, it was truly a privilage I wont ever forget. He always lit up the moment, wether on or off the field. I have never spent a day with him that he didnt go out of his way to make me feel good about myself. I absolutely loved the way he handled his money, with the elastic thing!, slick as can be! We are going to miss him dearly. May God rest his soul and may God be close to you all in this very difficult time.

Tom, Our Racquetball Challenge Ladder at the downtown YMCA will miss you.

My sincere condolensces to Tommy's entire family. Tommy was a friend to everyone he came in contact with. That was evident just watching and socializing with him on the ballfield. Last Labor Day (2008) my wife and I visited the Cliff Dwellings and there was Tommy doing what he does. After we toured the site, we went over and sat with Tommy 2 - 2 1/2 hours just talking about any and everything, not just baseball. Plus we helped him fold souvenior shirts he was preparing to put away for the season. My wife and I will always cherish that short time we were able to spend with Tommy. Tommy if you are building a baseball team in heaven, I hope I get to play on that team someday.

To the Rogers family,I would like to send my families heart felt sadness. I had the pleasure to have played in only two tournaments with Tom but knew him from playing against him and he is truely a man with a huge heart and kindness galore. Our thoughts and prayes are with you at this time but as you already know, your Angel is above you now watching over you and those he loved and cared about. I am sure he is putting a team together and ready to play. God truely has taken from us a very blessed man and has added to his Angels one of the best that will ever be.

The Mike Berkey Family

Donna, Courtney, Bette Jean and Dave,
We remember Tom's enthusiasm while showing us the Cliff Dwelling and his warehouse. The first time we met Tom, he made us feel as though we'd known him forever.
You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Love, Rich and Elaine

I only knew Tom for a few months while I worked at Savelli's Pizza in Manitou Springs. His visits were always the highlight of my days there as his smiles and laughter were always infectious. He was always so genuine and supportive and all people and their endeavors. I am sorry to hear that he left our world so early though I know his impact on it was huge.
I send my condolencses to the Rogers family and my thoughts and prayers are with you during your time of grief.