Thomas Louis Eide

Thomas Louis Eide, “Tom,” passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2025 surrounded by his wife of 41 years, Debbie and their three daughters, Caitlin, Kristin, and Melissa. Tom’s passing marks the end of his 68 years spent laughing, loving, and traveling with his friends and family.

Tom was born to Richard and Cecelia Eide on May 17, 1956. The eldest of six, Tom graduated from Great Falls High School in Great Falls, Montana and joined the Navy in 1974 at 18 years old. His first assignment was in Rota, Spain where he learned how to be a loadmaster and an aviation electrician’s mate for the C-130 airplane until 1977. Tom was assigned to the Naval Air Station Agana on Guam from 1977-1980 and after, was transferred to Point Mugu Naval Air Station where he attended flight engineer school. Tom was a dedicated learner and self-proclaimed “tinker-er” who loved numbers and to solve problems. These skills served him well as Tom was assigned to the VXE-6 crew partnering with the various National Science Foundation bases stationed on Antarctica in 1980. He spent five Northern Hemisphere winters in Antarctica from 1980-1984 transporting supplies and scientists to McMurdo Air Force Base. During this time, Tom met Deb through her sister April as they were stationed in Guam together. Tom and Deb were married in California on October 8, 1983.

Tom left the Navy in 1984 and moved from Oxnard, CA to Colorado Springs, CO with Deb shortly before the birth of their first daughter, Caitlin, in 1985. A year later, they welcomed their second daughter, Kristin. Melissa, their third daughter, was born in 1989. Tom joined the Air Force Reserves and the 302nd Airlift Wing and 731st Airlift Squadron in 1984. He would spend the next 16 years there flying missions on Tuesday and Thursday nights and participated in Unit Training Assembly weekends once a month. During this time, Tom was activated to serve in Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990-1991 and was deployed to the Far East, Central and South America, and Europe. He was trained and volunteered for the MAFFs air firefighting crew starting in 1995. Tom retired from the Air Force Reserves in 2000 after accruing over 8000 hours in a C-130 airplane.

Tom and family moved to Aurora, CO in 1990 after Tom accepted a Flight Instructor position at United Airlines. Tom worked at United for the remainder of his career and recently celebrated his 35-year anniversary. While at United, Tom served as a 737 airplane Flight Instructor, Program Support Coordinator, Program Support Specialist, and finally a Flight Training Instructional Systems Designer for the 777 airplane. His love for aviation was evident in everything he did. Tom loved to travel and took his family on trips, many of which included Disneyland, a family favorite.

Tom is survived by his wife Debbie, daughters Caitlin, Kristin, and Melissa, sons in law Brandon and Brian as well as five grandchildren, Austin (18), Charlotte (10), Maddox (9), Mason (8), and Maverick (6). He is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Cecelia Eide and his sister, Patty. Tom is further survived by his brothers Dan, John, Willie, and Larry.

Tom’s laughter and smile along with his sense of humor, joy, and positivity will be sorely missed among all those who knew him.

There will be a committal service on Tuesday, April 8th at 9:30 a.m. at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, Pavilion B with military honors. Tom’s life will be celebrated On Saturday, April 12 at 12pm at the Heritage Eagle Bend Clubhouse at 23155 E. Heritage Parkway, Aurora, CO 80016. Please RSVP to Caitlin Fryman at caitlinfryman@gmail.com if attending.

As a recipient of two kidney transplants, Tom and his family were fierce advocates for organ donation. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Donate Life Colorado to promote organ, eye, and tissue donation at Donatelifecolorado.org.