Obituary: Thomas Jefferson Fritzlan

Thomas Jefferson Fritzlan passed peacefully on Saturday, April 5, 2014, at the Colorado State Veterans Home in Rifle, Colo. He was 86.
Fritzlan was born in Whiteriver City, Colo., to Guy and Anna Fritzlan on July 14, 1927. He was preceded in death by his wife, Violet Kathleen Hoover; his oldest son, Jay Fritzlan; his youngest son, Ronnie Fritzlan; daughter-in law Sonja Fritzlan; and grandson Tommy Fritzlan.
He is survived by son Ralph Fritzlan (Kathy); daughter Vickie Zang (Rod ); daughter-in-law Robin Fritzlan; grandchildren Corrie Hyde (George), Shona Hoffmeister (Scott), Didi Garret (Thomas), Kasie Fritzlan, Jon Isham (Lindsey), Cole Fritzlan (Velvet), Kaylea Zang, Coy Zang, Jayce Fritzlan, Tessa Hangs and Jessica Hangs; great-grandchildren; Amber Klima (Logan), Chase Baker, Bailey Hoffmeister, Reese Hoffmeister, Colten Fritzlan, Teek Fritzlan, David Cuellar, Brice Osborne and Bryant Osborne; and great-great-grandchild Caden Klima.
Fritzlan was known around these parts as Tom, and he was a member of the United States Army as a private first class, also a retired maintenance foreman for Union Carbide and an experienced farrier. He followed the sport of rodeo with his kids and grandchildren, enjoyed the outdoors and was an active member of the American Quarter Horse Association, Colorado Guide and Outfitters Association and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Tom had a love for raising horses, loved his family and had a soft spot for his grandkids.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 25, 2014, at the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle.