Thomas Craig Thornberry was born January 9, 1947 to Robert and Marian (Ives) Thornberry in Denver, CO. His breech birth was the first of several adversities he would face with grace in his lifetime. He passed away peacefully at his home on July 4, 2024, declaring his independence from the pain and misery of Parkinson’s Disease.
Tom grew up in Aurora, Colorado and at the tender age of 16 lost his left arm to cancer. He conquered that loss and thrived for 61 years. He married B. J. Ryan and became a young father at the age of 18, finishing his undergraduate degree and law school at the University of Colorado while caring for his young family.
Tom clerked for a Denver judge for a year after graduating from law school and then decided to spread his wings and move to the western slope. He was hired by Fred Videon in Craig, Colorado in 1974. Tom would say “I came for a year”. He was still there, 50+ years later. Fred became his friend and mentor. When people would ask what kind of law he practiced he would say “I have done just about one of everything.” He was well respected among his colleagues and his clients, and he considered his clients his friends. Everyone loved his quick, dry wit.
Tom and BJ had three sons, Rob, Andy and Matt. Tom met and eventually married his wife Jeannie and added a fourth, her son Erik. Over the years these four boys gave him seven grandchildren he adored and ultimately, two great grandchildren, both of whom thought he was a pretty special guy even at their tender ages.
Over the years Tom helped Craig navigate growing pains and downturns, representing Moffat County School District, Memorial Hospital, Moffat County, and various other entities and interests. He loved the history of Moffat County and learning the unique stories of his ranching clients and their families. In some instances, he helped the parents, and then the grown children of those families. He valued those friendships and would “turn off the clock” when they stopped by for a visit. He also invested in Craig. He was one of the original investors starting up Yampa Valley Bank, and partnered with Kevin Peck, purchasing Northwest Title Company, which they operated for 13 years. Tom and Jeannie had recently moved to Arvada, CO to be closer to family and more resources for his illness, but their hearts never left Craig.
When Tom wasn’t solving legal issues he loved watching sports, especially the Denver Broncos and the Colorado Rockies, even when they weren’t very good. He loved exploring Moffat County. He found a unique beauty in the Brown’s Park and Dinosaur National Monument areas. He and Jeannie loved to travel and managed several wonderful trips over the years. They also must have liked remodeling houses because they did that a lot, including the house in Arvada. Sadly, Tom won’t see that one to completion, but he always knew what he was in for when Jeannie would say “is that a bearing wall?”
Tom is survived by his wife and companion for over 40 years, Jeannie, sons Rob (Margaret), Andy (Melissa), Matt, Erik Holt (Lennie) and grandchildren Morgan Thornberry (James) Jake (Kat) and daughter Maddie, Caroline Riley and her son Jameson, Kyndall Thornberry, Ryan Thornberry, Alarick Holt IV and Greyson Holt. He is also survived by nephews David Myers (Nancy) Tom Myers (Debbie) Bill Myers (Kate) and nieces Suzanne Myers and Barbara Rider (Shane) and multiple great nieces and nephews. He was a part of all their lives and they made his complete. He also leaves behind good friends and colleagues Bill Lawrence and Jim Osborn, Dave Van Sant, who read to him and sat with him every week in Arvada, Mike Nottingham, Steve and John Raftopoulos, the Peroulis families, Kevin Peck, Jennifer Riley, Sue and Larry Lyster, and so many more. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Barbara Myers, and his very good friends Rod Peck and Deno Avgares.
Tom was a strong supporter of the PEO Holiday Home tour which provides scholarships to young women in Moffat County, so if you would like to make a contribution in his name, please send it to PEO Chapter AJ Scholarship Fund, c/o Karen Eitel, 1850 Highway 394, Craig, CO 86125.
A celebration of life will be held in Craig at a later date.
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