Robert Thomas "Tom" DeBerry Jr.

Robert Thomas DeBerry, Jr. “Tom” went to his heavenly home on November 10, 2023.  He was born on October 17, 1941, in Memphis, TN to Robert T. DeBerry and Frances (Walsh) DeBerry.  He played several instruments in high school and eventually became the drum major in the marching band, all 6’4” of him! Unaware that he was in a competition, he was once named outstanding drum major. After graduating from high school, he moved with his family to Colorado Springs. The Air Force Academy Library hired him because he met their experience requirements, having worked part time through high school at the Memphis Public Library (50 cents an hour!)

He enrolled at UNC (formerly CSC) in Greeley, CO in 1961, majoring in library science, and he was named Dow Jones Student of the Year. He married Donna Casler in 1963, and later was awarded a graduate assistantship at the University of Denver in library science. Donna became pregnant with their first son, he needed a job, and he began a very rewarding 20-year career with Boettcher & Company. He soon discovered that finance was his niche, and he eventually was named Director of Operations, Treasurer, and a General Partner. Upon the sale of Boettcher & Company, he was named president of Kemper Clearing Corp. in Milwaukee, WI. Colorado beckoned him back and he returned to Denver.  Deciding that being a consultant was better than being unemployed, he formed DeBerry Consulting which he successfully enjoyed for another 20 years. The Operations gang was a close-knit group and has had many reunions over the years.

Tom served on the board of Asset Mark in Walnut Creek, California; was a longtime member of the Lakewood Optimist Club; and was a volunteer and mentor for Junior Achievement, working with youth.

Fly fishing was a passion, and his love of cars began as a young boy. He was the proud owner of a 1967 Corvair Monza convertible for 35 years and all the grandkids loved to get rides in it.  History, biographies, planes, trains, ships, and old classic movies were his favorite subjects, and he was a master with obscure bits of trivia, which entertained the family.

Tom and Donna were parents to two boys and divorced in 1979. He met Teddy in 1982 after she was employed at Boettcher & Co. They were married in 1983 and would have celebrated 41 years of marriage in January.  They brought 6 children together.  Tom adopted Teddy’s two youngest children who had just turned 4 and 7, and instantly he had 2 daughters! Tom considered himself Dad to all of them. They were Nana and Papa to 16 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren as well as surrogate grandparents to several others. They loved each other deeply and their marriage was inspirational.

Tom leaves behind his wife, Teddy, his brother Drue (Betty), sister Tillie Bondaruk, and children: Holly Smith (Dave), Wade (Vicki), Patrick Scheidecker, Jason (April), Casey (Amber), and Lynn (James) Lockner. He was also special to many nephews, nieces, cousins, and many friends. We will all miss his irresistible charismatic personality, humor, love of family gatherings, and his kind and caring heart.  He was a committed Christian and served in many leadership positions through the years.

 A Celebration of Life will be held at Wellspring Church, 3885 S. Broadway, Englewood, CO 80113, at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.

The family kindly suggests donations in his name to Camp IdRaHaJe, 571 CO Rd 43, Bailey, CO 80421.