Thomas Wiley Capps, Jr.

Thomas Wiley Capps, of Fort Collins passed away at Poudre valley Hospital on January 23, 2014. Thomas Wiley Capps was born March 29, 1931 in Amarillo, Texas to Thomas Wiley Capps, Sr. and Laura Bernice Wilkinson Capps. Tom was the youngest of five children and the only boy. His father had worked in the oil fields in Texas during late 1900-1920's, following the oil discoveries, and drilling wells. His father decided this was not a good life for the family and went to work for Texaco in their refineries. He transferred to Amarillo in 1930. In 1943, his father, who had worked for Texaco for nearly 20 years, resigned and moved the family to a dry-land cotton farm near Sudan, Texas. During those years much of the work on a cotton farm was hand labor, long hours, and hard work. Tom attended Public School in Sudan, TX, from sixth grade thru high school. He graduated in 1949 as valedictorian of his class. Tom attended college for two years, then dropped out to join the Air Force during the Korean war in 1951.
He was honorably discharged in 1955. He then went back to college in 1955 and graduated in 1958 with Honors from Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. He was a member of ALPHA CHI. Tom married Judy Williams in 1957, they were later divorced. After graduation, he went to work for a local CPA firm where he had worked part-time through college. In October they moved to Denver, CO to work in the Tax Department of a National CPA firm. He passed his CPA exam in 1958. One year later he purchased a small CPA practice in Julesburg, CO. Two children, Todd and Tedd, were born in Julesburg. In 1967 Tom sold his practice and moved to Fort Collins, CO. He owned and operated his own CPA firm there until he sold the practice in 1994 but remained to work with new owner until his semi-retirement in 1998. Tom loved humor, and used it in public speaking, often being asked to be a master of ceremonies at various meetings in Julesburg. He appeared in stage comedy plays, etc., was very active in politics, once as county chairman for the re-election of Governor Love, and was a delegate to the state Republican convention twice. He also enjoyed golf, loved classic movies and fishing the Poudre River. Tom married Beverly Aldrich Greenwell in July, 1985. Surviving are beloved wife, Beverly; sons, Todd Capps, and Tedd Capps; stepson, Michael Shelly Greenwell; step daughter-in-law, Kathy Greenwell; step-daughter, Lori Gary Jensen, Amy Lucio Romero; three grandchildren, Kimberlee James Brown, Shea Capps, and Weston Capps; 15 step-grandchildren. Tom had one great-granddaughter, McKinze Brown; she always brought a great big smile when he saw her. Tom also had 13 step-great grandchildren. He was also survived by eight sister-in-laws and seven brother-in-laws. Pre-deceased by parents, sisters and brother-in-laws, Wylene and Paul Norman, Ruth and Clifford Thompson, Dorothy and Leroy Savage, Betty and Bill Hughes; stepsons, Leonard Greenwell and Timothy Greenwell. A private family service will be held. Contributions may be made to the Larimer County Humane Society in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524.