Tom Tad Knowles

Tom lived all throughout Colorado, moving many times between the Eastern and Western Slope. He graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in 1964 and moved to Evergreen to work with his dad, successfully managing a string of dude horses.

After leaving Evergreen, Tom moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, and worked on a ranch in White Water, while attending Mesa State College. While at Mesa State, he was a part of the rodeo club where he rode roughstock including saddle bronc horses, bareback horses, and bulls.

While living in Grand Junction, Tom received a letter from Uncle Sam, calling him to serve our country. In answer to that call, Tom went to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for basic training, after which he was shipped off to Vietnam with the 25th Infantry Division. Tom was trained in Artillery Target Acquisition and worked as Air Warning Control, for which he received several Air Force Commendations.

During his service, Tom served with the Wolfhounds and Mac-V Special Forces and was involved in many missions, including the TET offensive in February of 1969. After being honorably discharged from the military in 1969, Tom returned home to Colorado.

After returning home, Tom went to work in the construction industry and it was during this time, that he met and married the love of his life, Kathy, in 1970, and together they started a family. They first welcomed their daughter, Talynn, and then their son, Tad.

Tom was a man who wore many hats. He worked construction, sold retail, managed auctions, and worked various ranch jobs before he started his beloved shop, “The Wildflower”. After opening “The Wildflower”, Tom continued with many of his much-loved writing projects such as composing a documentary about the Comanche National Grasslands for the National Forest Service, penning a weekly column in the Elbert County News entitled, “The Tally String”, authoring a novel called, “AICH”, and he still found time to even write a few song lyrics.

Tom loved the small, rural community of Elizabeth, CO and loved his work as a volunteer – In helping to preserve the rural way of life. Tom served as a founding committee member of the PRCA Elizabeth Stampede and in 2011, Tom and Kathy were recognized for their numerous contributions, and were honored by the community as “Pioneers of the Elizabeth Stampede”.

Tom’s dedication to The Stampede did not end with just his efforts to help found the beloved community event, that is still going strong today, Tom also spearheaded the creation of the highly successful Elizabeth Stampede Trade Show, served as parade announcer, and had many responsibilities during the performances for several years after its inception. His family and children carried on with the tradition by volunteering to assist with the event in many ways and both Talynn and Tad have competed in various Stampede events over the years.

Tom is preceded in death by his Father, W.A. Knowles, Mother, Alice Powell, and Stepmother, Betty Knowles.

Tom is survived by his Beloved Wife of 52-plus, loving years, Katherine Knowles, of Elizabeth, Colorado; Sisters, Ada Knowles of Washington and Mickey Standefer of Texas; Daughter Talynn (Knowles) Allen and Husband, Ty Allen, of Kiowa, Colorado; Son, Tad Knowles and Wife, RaeMarie Knowles, of Kiowa, Colorado; Grandchildren, Tess (Allen) Berglund and Husband, Lars Berglund, of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Trea Allen of Kiowa, Colorado, and Trenton Allen of Kiowa, Colorado; Great-Granddaughter, Isla Knowles Berglund of Steamboat Springs, Colorado; as well as many nieces, nephews, brothers & sisters-in-law, numerous friends, and brothers-in-arms.

Tom will be remembered as a great storyteller and curator of the past and one of his greatest legacies will always be the vast number of people who came near and far just to hear his stories and see his huge smile and that soft, and somewhat mischievous, twinkle in his eye.

Tom will be greatly missed by all of the people he touched throughout a long, and well-lived life, through his love for and art with words, and in the hearts of his family and friends who loved him dearly.

TOM T. KNOWLES

Celebration of Life

Please come and join us for a celebration of Tom’s Life.

We all know Tom was a beloved storyteller. Please bring your favorite Tom Knowles Stories and Memories to share with his Family & Friends.

July 8th, 2023

Kiowa Community Church Fellowship Hall

231 Cheyenne Street

Kiowa, Colorado

1 P.M.

We would love for you to attend this celebration of Tom, share fellowship with his friends & family, and help us honor a life well-lived.

Dinner to follow.