Thomas Ray Moats, Sr., 59, died Monday, July 30, 2012, in Bayfield, Colo., of metastatic liver cancer.
Thomas was born May 11, 1953, in Englewood, Colo., to Ernest Ray Moats and Alice Cline. He lived in Bayfield Colorado for six years and is a Colorado native. He attended the "School of Hard Knocks," and Sheridan High School. He married Cathleen Moats on June 11, 1971, in Englewood, Colo.
Thomas began his 38-year concrete pumping career with Harvey Hoyer of Allstates Concrete Pumping at the age of 16, then went on to O’Brien’s, Gibbons, Brundage, Murdock, Southwest, and started his own concrete pumping business, Moats Concrete Pumping in 1988. He sold his business in 2003 to travel with his wife and dogs. He and his wife settled in Bayfield where he worked for Sky Ute Ready Mix.
Thomas loved jeepin’, camping, fishing, gold panning and BBQing. His family and his dogs were his world. He loved his wife, kids and grandkids and wouldn’t go anywhere without his dogs.
He is preceded in death by Ernest Ray Moats, Alice Cline, Wes Nash and Bub Cochran.
He is survived by wife Cathleen Moats of Bayfield, Colo., children Thomas R. Moats, Jr. (wife Brooke Moats and sons Tanner Moats and Cole Dixon) of Fort Collins, Colo., Russ M. Moats (wife Aubrey Moats and son Elliott Moats) of Costa Mesa, Calif., his beloved nephew Dusty Nash (wife Sherry and sons Jacob Nash and Tyler Nash), brother Ben and sisters Peggy, Rosie, Sharon and Jane, plus numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements are being made for a celebration of Tom's life, which will take place in Fort Collins, Colorado, at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to "The Moats Family" at 625 Republic Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80526. Please feel free to visit www.hoodmortuary.com to view the obituary and/or leave a comment or condolences