Thomas M. Roberts

Thomas Marlowe “Thom” Roberts, age 62, of Aurora, Colorado, formerly of Manhattan, Kansas, died Thursday evening, November 5, 2015, in Manhattan while visiting family. He was born on October 25, 1953, in Herington, Kansas, the son of John Russell Roberts, Jr. and Mary Margaret (Finney-Jacobs) Roberts. Thom attended local schools, graduating from Manhattan High School in 1971. He then attended Kansas State University and was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. Thom grew up attending St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Manhattan. A longtime resident of Colorado, Thom was a former paramedic and fireman. He later was the founding owner of SFI Compliance, Inc, a safety consulting and training company in Aurora. He was with the firm for over 25 years until his death. Thom had a true passion for helping people and his work as a safety consultant allowed him to do that on a daily basis. He conducted countless training courses to keep people safe at work and undoubtedly saved many lives through his efforts. His passion helped change the way construction workers and construction companies worked on a daily basis. Safety First was Thom’s motto and will always be his legacy. Thom loved Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, where he enjoyed fishing, camping and simply spending time outdoors. He also loved to shop whether it be for groceries at the supermarket or outdoor equipment and supplies from Bass Pro Shop. Thom was a master story-teller and would share with family, friends and even strangers. He deeply cared for others and was extremely proud of his family, each of whom fondly remembers that each day he would say “it’s a beautiful day.” On July 14, 1990, in Aurora, Colorado, he was united in marriage to the former Luann McCormick. He is also survived by their son Alec Thomas McCormick Roberts, also of the home, and by two step-daughters, Melissa Johnson and her husband Dan of Aurora, CO, and Kryssy Kimminau and her fiance’ Javier Enriquez, Castle Rock, CO. Also surviving is his father: John R. Roberts, Jr., Manhattan, KS. Thom had two brothers: John R. Roberts III, Sacramento, CA; James W. Roberts, Bend, OR; one sister: Mary Ann “Annie” (Roberts) Harts and her husband Terry, Manhattan, KS; nine grandchildren: Derek Johnson and his companion Hanna Daluge, Olivia Johnson and Caitlyn Johnson, Summer Kimminau, Hope Kimminau, Noah Kimminau and Lucy Kimminau, Liam Enriquez and Brennan Enriquez and a great-grandson, Weston Johnson. He is also survived by his beloved nephew and nieces: Dalton Harts, Anna Harts, Jordan (Roberts) Phillips and Kendall (Roberts) Ley. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary M. Roberts in May of this year and by a grandson, Matthew Johnson, in July 1999. Funeral Services in Kansas was held on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel with Reverend Dr. Patty Brown Barnett officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Ponderosa Valley Funeral Services. A Prayer Service will be held on Wednesday, November 18, 2015, 11:00 a.m. at Ave Maria Catholic Church, 9056 E. Parker Road in Parker. Final Resting Place will be Fairmount Cemetery in Denver. Charitable donations may be made to: American Diabetes Association 1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria VA 22311 Tel: 1-800-342-2383 Web: https://donations.diabetes.org/site/Donation2?df_id=17580&17580.donation=form1&autologin=true&s_src= Service Information