Arthur Roy Thomson

Art, 68, of Centennial lost his long and valiant battle with ALS. Although ALS robbed him of his ability to walk and talk, he maintained a positive attitude and loved to visit and share memories with his family and friends until the very end. Art was born in Denver, Colorado, to Franklin and Virginia (Qualls) Thomson. He attended George Washington High School (class of 65) and graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He taught skiing with the Over the Hill Gang at Copper Mountain and loved golf, fishing, hiking, camping, biking and almost any sport you can name, but his main passion was teaching and playing the game of tennis. He played No. 1 singles at both George Washington High School and CU, Boulder on his varsity team. Although he claimed many singles victories over the years, including winning the Open Division at the Colorado State Open at the age of 34, he truly became a doubles specialist in his later years. He amassed many victories on the court and was inducted into the Colorado Tennis Hall of Fame in early 2015. Art and his wife, Laura, came together in 1982 and became the ""dynamic duo"" of the 35 and over mixed doubles world in Colorado and the Intermountain. Although ALS took his athleticism, he continued to be involved in the tennis community by watching and coaching from the sidelines. Art will be deeply missed and loved forever by his loving wife, Laura, stepsons Marc (Britta) and Garth (Katie) Miles and grandchildren Sophie and Cooper and new baby due in June. He loved each and every one with all of his heart and there was still plenty of room and love left for his many, many friends. A memorial service will be held January 7 at 11 am at Horan & McConaty, 11150 E. Dartmouth, Aurora, CO, followed by a celebration of life reception at the Heart Light Center at the same location. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rocky Mountain ALS Chapter at 10855 Dover St., #500, Westminster, CO 80021 or www.alscolorado.org.