Thomas "Tom" Shoaf
Marriages
Betty Jean Carpman - June 20, 1959
Married in Pittsburgh, PA
Obituaries
The Daily Sentinel page 5C - March 20, 2022
Thomas “Tom” Shoaf,
89, went peacefully into his
Savior’s presence March
15, 2022, at his home in
Grand Junction, CO.
Tom was born September
14, 1932, in Smithfield, PA,
to Smith R. and Laura Bella (Moser) Shoaf. Growing
up, he was a member of Mount Moriah Baptist Church,
serving as the church organist for eight years from age
14 to 22.
After graduation in 1950, from Point Marion High
School in Point Marion, PA, he attended Waynesburg
College in Waynesburg, PA, then West Virginia
University in Morgantown, WV, completing a bachelor’s
degree in accounting in 1954. Following graduation, he
was employed as an auditor with Price Waterhouse in
Pittsburgh, PA.
Tom served two years in the Army at Fort Carson in
Colorado Springs before returning to Price Waterhouse
in 1956, and transferring to their Denver office. He
attended Colorado State College (University of Northern
Colorado) in Greeley from 1958-1959, graduating with a
master’s degree in education.
Tom met his one true love, Betty Jean Carpman, in
1952, and married her June 20, 1959, at Temple Baptist
Church in Pittsburgh, PA. They settled in Colorado
Springs where he taught business education at Palmer
High School from 1959 - 1965, then at Mitchell High
School, also serving as the program coordinator from
1965 until his retirement in 1990. Upon retirement, Tom
worked for Avis /Budget Group from 1996 - 2017, first
in Colorado Springs, and then in Grand Junction.
While in Colorado Springs, Tom and Betty were
members of First Baptist Church then transferred
their membership to Highland Park Baptist Church.
Tom served on various boards and as the organist at
Highland Park until 2000, when he and Betty moved to
Grand Junction and joined First Baptist Church Grand
Junction where he was a member of the choir and a
substitute organist.
He volunteered as a bookkeeper for Pikes Peak Habitat
for Humanity in Colorado Springs. In Grand Junction,
he volunteered with RSVP, helped pack lunches for
Kids Aid, and delivered Meals on Wheels.
Tom is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean;
brothers, Kenneth, James, John, and Ralph, and their
spouses; his parents; brothers-in-law, Jack Carpman
and Tom Gallagher, and granddaughter, Larissa Jean
Sessums.
He is survived by daughters, Carol (Hunter) Sessums,
Monte Vista, CO, and Nancy (Glenn) Frey, Grand
Junction, CO; granddaughter, Katie (Mark) Janzen,
Oklahoma City, OK; grandson, Logan Sessums, Grand
Junction, CO; sisters-in-law, Janet Gallagher, Hidden
Valley, PA, and Jo Ann (Phil) Petersen, League City,
TX, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Tom will be remembered for his acts of service, his
sense of humor, his weakness for ice cream and sweets,
and the love he had for his wife, daughters, sons-in-law,
and especially his grandchildren.
The family would like to thank HopeWest and
especially Tom’s team for their gentle and loving care
and help.
Cremation has been arranged through Martin
Mortuary. A celebration of life will be June 11, 2022,
at 10:00 a.m., at First Baptist Church in Grand Junction.
Memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church, 720
Grand Avenue, Grand Junction, CO 81501.
