Obituary of Thomas "Tom" Charles Vanderstock

Thomas (Tom) Vanderstock, 71 of Limon passed away peacefully at the Denver VA Hospital June 7, 2017 surrounded by his family. Tom was born August 8th, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Thomas and Shirly Vanderstock. Tom moved with his family to southern California when he was 10 years old. He remembered going to Disneyland when it first opened and only cost 25 cents to get in. After graduating from high school he joined the Navy in 1966 and became a combat corpsman serving with the Marines in Vietnam. Tom was injured and awarded the Purple Heart medal for wounds received in action February 1968. Tom began his professional career in international sales after his discharge from the Navy. During the next 28 years of his life he traveled the world selling dialysis and medical equipment, along with ocean and environmental monitoring equipment. He probably visited close to 50 countries during that time. Toward the end of the century his life changed, he stayed closer to home and dabbled in wine sales and professional organizing. It was also at this time that he met the love of his life, Debra. They both had traveled the world and decided to see all they could of the great United States of America. They bought an RV named it “The Grape Escape” and never looked back. Their bucket list was to visit all 59 National Parks and they got to all but about 14 of them. In 2007 he moved to Limon with Debi to help care for her mother, Daisy Jorgensen. Limon became his home and he thrived in small town living. In retirement they continued working and volunteering as work campers for the US Forest Service, San Diego County Park Service and the last 5 summers worked up in Estes Park. They met and made such wonderful friends during this time. Winter were spent exploring the southeast and southwest areas of the country. Tom was a very contented and happy man, whether he was hiking in his beloved Rocky Mountains, soaking in hot springs, puttering around the house or cruising the oceans. He will be missed so very much for his quiet love and endless support he gave to his family and friends. Tom was a loving father to both his and Debi’s children; Lindsey (Bret) McCarthy, Todd Vanderstock, Courtney (Joshua) Squires, Morgan (Chris) Kooi, and Jared (Andrea) Wyant. Nine grandchildren filled his life with joy, they are Colin, Brenden, Savannah, Hudson, Camryn, Kendall, Dylan, Reece, and Kate. He is survived by his wife and loving partner Debi Jorgensen Wyant, his children and grandchildren, his brother Geoff Vanderstock, his sister Barbara (Sandy) Pfaff, the mother of his children, Jo Vanderstock, many counsins, nieces and a nephew.