Thomas Stephen Eskildsen

Thomas Stephen Eskildsen (Tom) passed away on April 30, 2024, at the age of 74, at his home in Montrose, Colorado. Born on December 13, 1949, in Klamath Falls, Oregon, Tom spent his early years on the 200-acre Eskildsen Family Farm in Mt. Hebron, California until he was 15.

Tom is preceded in death by his father, Stephen Eskildsen of Mt. Hebron, CA; his mother, G. Naoma (Eskildsen) Holley, of Higdon, AL; and his brother, Robert Holley. He is survived by his sister, Oda (Eskildsen) Wilson of Montrose, CO; Larry Wilson; his brother, Peter Eskildsen (and wife Debbie) of Edmore, MI; his brother, Stuart Holley (and wife Melanie) of Chattanooga, TN; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Tom had a natural gift for music, inheriting his talent from his parents. He was in a band, singing and playing guitar, during his time at Ider High School in Alabama. Known for his gentlemanly demeanor, quick sense of humor, and quiet nature, Tom lived in various places, including Chattanooga, Tennessee; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; and San Jose, California. He loved warm weather and the beaches. In 2017, after the passing of his mother, he moved to his sister Oda’s home in Montrose, Colorado. There, they enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, and putting together scenic puzzles. Tom always appreciated and complimented his sister’s cooking.

A lifelong learner, Tom earned an Electronics Communications Diploma from DeVry University Correspondence School and, after seven years, obtained an Associate’s Degree in 1983 from West Valley College in Saratoga, CA. He also had a private pilot’s license and an FCC Amateur Radio License, using Morse Code. These achievements were particularly remarkable given the challenges he faced with seizures resulting from a traumatic brain injury caused by an auto accident while attending college in Florence, AL, in the early 1970s. Despite his frequent seizures, dementia, and tremors, Tom endured his hardships without complaint, even when forced to give up his driver’s and pilot’s licenses and go on government disability by age 40.

As an electronics technician, Tom worked as a final inspector at Intel and as an aircraft radio technician at L.A.C. Avionics, Inc. at San Jose Mineta International Airport. In the 1980s, he was flown to Ecuador for a position interview with a Christian radio station, which inspired his lifelong goal of learning Spanish well enough to travel to Mexico. He enjoyed practicing Spanish and "tutoring" his mother and then his sister Oda until the very end.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Senior Community PACE for their care and compassion shown to Tom since 2020. He especially enjoyed sharing his Spanish-word-of-the-day with his in-home caregivers. Special thanks to Larry Wilson for assisting moving Tom from Alabama to Colorado, and helping care for him. Wendy Duis, thank you for helping care for Tom as well, your kindness has brought us comfort.

There will not be a memorial service; however, Tom will be interred at a future date at the Lakeview Cemetery in Macdoel, California, beside his father Steve, who passed away when Tom was just 4½ years old.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Tom’s honor to the Senior Community Care of Colorado PACE in Montrose.