Thomas Eugene Elson

Monroe, Utah - Thomas Eugene Elson, our husband, father, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2025 in Monroe.

Tom was born on September 17th, 1932 in Ash Grove, Missouri to Eugene Edwin Elson and Helen Theo White. Tom often spoke of the joys of life as a young boy on the farm, and the strong bonds with extended family members who had farms in the surrounding area. When he was still young Tom’s family moved to Phoenix, AZ in the hopes it would help his mother’s health. While in Phoenix he became an outstanding student and musician, playing both the clarinet and the saxophone. He also loved hunting trips with two uncles who had also relocated to Phoenix.

Tom attended Arizona State University on a music scholarship for one year, then enlisted in the Army during the Korean War. He was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division in Germany and traveled throughout Europe and North Africa as the first stand clarinet in the army band. Upon returning home, Tom continued his education, receiving a B.S. in Forestry with a minor in Hydrology from Colorado State University. He was quickly hired by the US Forest Service, beginning a long and rewarding career as a watershed hydrologist and forest manager. The Forest Service supported his completion of two more degrees, a M.S. in Wildland Management from Colorado State University and a M.S. in Forestry with an emphasis in land use planning from the University of Michigan.

On July 13, 1968 Tom married Marianne Payne in Draper, UT. They were married for 57 wonderful years. Tom had a passion for travel and the landscapes of the western US, and the family enjoyed many road trips, particularly within the Rocky Mountains. They shared an interest in landscaping and created beautiful yards at each of their homes as they traveled for Tom’s work. Most of all, they were focused on their children and grandchildren and supporting their interests.

Tom and Marianne retired in Littleton, CO, where they lived for a total of 38 years before moving to southern Utah to be closer to family. Tom was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 84, and the family was sealed together for eternity in the Ft. Collins Colorado temple one year later.

He is remembered by his family as incredibly kind, loving, almost impossibly patient, honest, intelligent, family focused, childlike in his enthusiasm for life, and always prepared!

Tom is survived by his wife, Marianne Elson; his daughter Lisa Ann (Lyle) Radke; son Michael Thomas (Lacy) Elson; grandchildren: Janae Radke, Kyla Radke, Dallin Radke, Tessa Radke; and brother Jerry W. Elson.

Funeral services will be held Monday, July 28, 2025 at 11:30 A.M. in the Larkin Sunset Gardens Chapel, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road in Sandy, with burial in the Sunset Gardens Cemetery to follow immediately afterward.

Livestreaming of the services will be available under Tom's obituary at springerturner.com.

Services are under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Homes of Richfield and Salina, Utah.