
Tom Olds
1953-08-22 2009-07-29Tom Olds came to Thomas Jefferson High School from his home on Hilltop and a group of lifelong friends when his mother Beverly married Bob Martin, a local TV sports announcer known as the voice of the Denver Broncos, and moved to our school district.
Tom used to park his copper and white Austin Healy daily in the school parking lot while he went to classes. During high school Tom excelled in art, creating beautiful jewelry in Mr. Casagrande’s class that was exhibited at The Denver Art Museum. After high school, he moved to California to attend California College of the Arts, not only graduating with honors but also winning top honors at the California State Fair for his paintings. Touring many self -designed and self-built homes in college classes inspired a goal to design and build his own home one day. After college Tom moved to Maui Hawaii. In the center of the town of Lahaina, Tom and his then girlfriend had a store that sold the art, jewelry and etched glassware he was then creating.
Eventually learning all of the aspects needed to build a home, Tom bought two acres of land in Haiku. Along with his new girlfriend Linda whom he married, he designed and personally built his own home which they were able to enjoy until his death in 2009 from complications of the diabetes he had since he was a boy.
Throughout his life Tom was always a car and motor sports enthusiast. He enjoyed all that Maui and Colorado had to offer. He developed a successful career as a graphic artist. Tom always mastered what he desired to create, from jewelry in high school, illustrations for books, etched art to the many paintings and drawings which occupy and fill the offices and homes of many people, including his family and lifelong friends.
Ultimately Tom was very fortunate to be able to actually achieve his life goal of designing and building his own home, fulfilling and living his dreams.
Wish I had been fortunate to have known Tom. What a wonderful person.
tribute by Jan Kinney