Tom Lee Gapter, 76, of Berthoud passed away at McKee Medical Center on Jan. 18, 2016. He was born on July 11, 1939, in Loveland, Colo., to Doris and Clem Gapter.

Tom graduated from Boulder High School, where he was a wrestler, in 1958. He was a carpenter and built many houses with his dad in Boulder. He also worked at Gapter Excavating as a backhoe operator for 32 years and Thompson School District in Loveland for 10 years.

He married the love of his life, Judy Jones, on June 28, 1959, and has been married for 56 years. They moved from Boulder to Berthoud in 1974 where they built an amazing life with their three children. He loved the outdoors. Camping, fishing and four-wheeling were among of his favorite things to do with his family, and was he always looking to catch the biggest fish. He also loved the Broncos and would never miss a game.

Tom is survived by his wife Judy, daughter Christy Riggins and her husband Roger; daughter Cindy Deines and son Scott Gapter all of Berthoud, nine grandchildren; Shelly Riggins, Lori Kingsley, Karen Kingsley, Shaun Riggins, Mitch Deines, Cole Deines, Kelly Gapter, Matthew Gapter and David Gapter, his brother Dick Gapter and wife Carole and sister Bev Hodgson and husband Lee. He also had five great grandchildren; Connor, Keegan, Kayla, Autumn and Trevor.

Celebration of his life will take place on Friday, Jan. 22, at the Berthoud Community Center, 248 Welch Ave, Berthoud, Colo., at 1 p.m.