Thomas Lee Gordy, 76, of Salida, CO, gently passed away at home on July 17, 2026 surrounded by his loved ones after an 11 year battle with cancer. Tom was born on August 19, 1949, in El Paso, Texas, to Ruth and James William (Bill) Gordy where he loved hiking and wandering the desert.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial Design at Sul Ross State University. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1974, reaching the rank of SK2 aboard a ship in the Mediterranean and later volunteered with the Naval Advisory Forces in Vietnam, north of Da Nang. There he encountered some of the nation’s most tender and wonderful people. His contacts with the local Viet Cong were “… scary, though he was sympathetic to their anger.” He was later stationed in London at the Fleet Operations Control Center in an intelligence role for the Middle East and Eastern Europe. His final duty station was in Washington, D.C., where he spent the remainder of his service visiting with his grandfather at the Old Soldiers’ Home. Tom said serving in the Navy was a privilege and that he would do it all over again. His advice to anyone considering military service was, “The opportunities are there. It is what you make of them.”

Tom and his wife, Leah, were married for 45 years and had two children, Claire and Walter. Together they moved to Salida in 1983 and remained there for the rest of his life. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, former Commander of Post 3820 for the VFW, and a long time member of the Elks Club. He was always there when he was needed, and attended all the meetings and funerals for the VFW. He was one man to be counted on.

Many people throughout the community also knew him through his work as a home inspector or befriended him at the many events he attended in Salida in his 40+ years of residency. He loved traveling to spend time with his family, often driving for hours or overnight to be with them. He cherished the countless hours he spent with his wife, Leah; his parents, Ruth and Bill; his children, Claire and Walter; his siblings, Paul, Mary Lou, and Nick; and his grandchildren, Asa and Crew.

He was a man of the mountains spending countless days around Shavano and the surrounding area. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and James (Bill) Gordy, and his brother, Nick. Tom loved his wife, Leah, sunrises, sunsets, whistling, the rain, and reading. He was so proud of his children, Claire and Walter. Information regarding the funeral mass and memorial service to be announced for October 2026.

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