Thomas Patrick Colgan

Thomas Patrick Colgan, 78, of Elwood, Nebraska, died Saturday, December 31, 2016, suddenly while wintering in Parker, Arizona, at Lake Havasu City Regional Medical Center in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. He was born August 4, 1938, in Kearney, Nebraska, to William T. and Mary I. (Brennan) Colgan. He graduated from Overton High School with the class of 1956. Following high school he worked at Safeway in Lexington, thus beginning a long career as a meat cutter. Tom was united in marriage to Arlene Brown on June 6, 1959, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Lexington. Four children were blessed to this marriage; Kelly, Kirk, Kris, and Kathy. The family lived in several towns after their marriage. In 1972, they moved to Boulder, Colorado where he worked for King Soopers, and then to Broomfield, Colorado until 1984, when they moved to Eagle, Nebraska and opened their own grocery store. The couple moved to Johnson Lake in 1994. Tom was a meat cutter at 6th Street foods, later Sunmart, in Lexington and Holdrege. He retired approximately 10 years ago. All in all, he worked 50+ years as a meat cutter. He was also well-known as Tom, Tom the Spiderman at the lake for his spider killing abilities. Always active, Tom loved coaching youth basketball. He played on a softball league in Lexington as a young man, he was always athletic, and loved all sports; including, poker and pitch. His favorite activity on a Saturday afternoon was watching his beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers. He was a people person, very witty, kind, smart, and funny. He never knew a stranger. The couple enjoyed spending the winter months in Arizona. Tom was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Lexington. Survivors include his wife, Arlene of Elwood, Nebraska; his four children, Kelly (Gary) Bruning of Casa Grande, Arizona, Kirk Colgan of Littleton, Colorado, Kris Colgan of Johnson Lake, Nebraska, and Kathy Colgan of Johnson Lake, Nebraska; two grandchildren, Nicole Bruning and Zach Bruning of Casa Grande, Arizona; two sisters, Marge Aten of Kearney, Nebraska, and Rosemary Crosby of Johnson Lake, Nebraska; two special cousins, Tommy (Sherry) Brennan of Overton, Nebraska, and Joe (Mary) Colgan of Durango, Colorado; as well as nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation. A Rosary will be held on Friday, January 20, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Lexington. A Memorial Mass will be recited on Saturday, January 21, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Lexington with Reverend Neal Nollette celebrating. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. There will be no graveside service. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to assist the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.