Donald Jesse Lomas, 83

With great sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, granddad, and uncle, Donald Jesse Lomas, age 83, on Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Aurora, Colorado. Born on April 6, 1942, to the late Pansy and Jesse Lomas in Bozeman, Montana, Don and his family called several places home in Montana, including Cardwell, Harrison, and St. Ignacious. Some of his most cherished memories were living on the Shaw Ranch in Cardwell as a boy.

After graduating from Montana State College (now Montana State University) and marrying his eventual lifelong partner of 62 years, Robin Russell, Don enlisted in the United States Air Force Reserves. His service of 4 years had his growing family leave Montana and live in Texas, Maryland, and Alabama. After leaving the service, Don and Robin brought their three small children to Colorado, where he would proudly work as a civilian for the Air Force Accounting and Finance Center at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver for over 30 years. Retirement brought on new adventures for Don and Robin including moving to the mountain town of Buena Vista for 11 years, volunteering with his wife and son-in-law at the Red Rooster Visitor Center in Twin Lakes (where he could tell people from all over the world where to go) and traveling with Robin to places such as Ireland, Scotland, England, and all around the US.

Don loved history, reading, gardening (which he got from his mom), music (which he passed on to his kids), hiking, and going for drives to explore Colorado. Short drives usually became long drives as he always had to see what was around the next bend. For many years, Don was an active and dedicated member of the Optimist Club.

Don's pride and joy were his two grandchildren, Matthew and Sarah. Highlights included their summer visits to grandma and grandpa's house in Buena Vista, watching their many school plays over the years, and traveling to Illinois to attend both of their college graduations.

He is preceded in death by his parents Pansy and Jesse, his sister Jean and Vern Shaw (brother-in-law), his brother Wayne and his nephew Rick Shaw.

He is survived by his wife Robin, sons Joel and Jason, Beth (daughter-in-law), daughter Whitney, and Will (son-in-law), grandson Matthew, granddaughter Sarah, and her husband Nathan.

A memorial service will be held at the Cardwell Community Church on Friday, June 27, at 10:30 AM. All are welcome.