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Thomas William Laing Sr.
Feb. 19, 1941 — Jan. 17, 2011
MONTROSE — Thomas William Laing Sr., 69, a 17-year resident of Montrose, passed away Monday, Jan. 17, 2011 from cancer. Mr. Laing was born on Feb. 19, 1941, in Alliance, Neb. to Roberts and Charlotte Laing.
Tom graduated from Alliance High School in l959 and then served honorably with the U.S. Army until 1962. After graduating from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education, Tom married Patricia Brown, also from Alliance, Neb. Together they had a son, Thomas Laing Jr., who was 2 years old when Patsy died in a car accident.
Tom then moved to Oregon where he and Tom Jr. resided for 11 years while Tom taught elementary school in Newberg until 1971, and then worked as a journeyman and Shell core machinist in Portland until 1975. He and Tom Jr. returned to Alliance where Tom worked as the general foreman at Dayco Inc. until 1980 when he opened up his first business, Laing's Liquors on Box Butte Avenue, which eventually grew and moved across town to become Laing's Convenience Corner. In 1982, he met and married Connie Johannes, also of Alliance, who had three daughters. Together, Tom and Connie moved to Montrose, Colo. in 1994 to pursue their shared dream of living on a farm while Tom worked in real estate until recently retiring. Tom was a member of the National Rifleman's Association, the Montrose Hunt Club, a life member of the National Hunt Club, the Elks Club, Ducks Unlimited, the Montrose Association of Realtors and the Colorado Association of Realtors.
Tom is survived by his wife, Connie Laing; his son, Tom Laing Jr.; and three step- daughters, Andrea Tindal, Gwen Ensrud and Jenelle Johannes. His surviving grandchildren are, Patrick Laing and Maddie Wilson. Surviving step-grandchildren include, Tom Smith, Shane Sutton, Lindsey Schick and Stevie Ensrud, as well as three step great-grandchildren. Tom is also survived by his brother, Bob Laing Jr. of Hot Springs, S.D.; sister, Mary Olson of Danville, Calif.; sister, Martha Myers of Hilton Head, S.C.; and sister, Linda Zschiedrich of Highlands Ranch, Colo.
This past December, Tom and Connie were blessed to celebrate their 29th wedding anniversary in Denver with close family and friends in attendance. Tom was an amazing teacher, friend and inspiration to so many people in his life. He was known for his huge heart, loud, belly laugh and his special ability to make meaningful connections with people from all walks of life. He loved John Wayne, Nebraska football, his pup Skeeter, hunting and fishing, a big steak on the grill and "shootin' the breeze" with just about anybody who was willing. He was always loved and admired for his kindness and loving personality and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Out of respect for Tom's wish, the family intends to forgo a formal funeral service and will hold a memorial at some point in the spring, date still to be determined.
Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home, 802 E. Main St., Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 249-2121.
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