Memorial For Tom
Donation protected
On May 7th 2019, the world became a little darker for the family and friends of Tommie Lee Dotter (known as Tom) who suffered a heart attack followed by a catastrophic stroke and subsequently passed due to his injuries at 4:25PM.
Tom had owned and “wrenched” at his auto repair shop, Aspen Import Auto, since 1983. He worked side by side with his daughter Ginger each and every day, and with Matthew for many years as well. In addition to “fixing the little cars” as he put it, Tom was also a large supporter and founder of the Automezzi Italian car show, and the Rocky Mountain Fiat Lancia Club. An avid caver, he was an active member of the National Speleological Society, and often spent his weekends in the exploration and preservation of caves. He had been involved in the Boy Scouts of America where he assisted several scouts, including his son Matthew in achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Tom was a Military Veteran who attended West Pointe and later was a member of the reserves.
One of the many reasons Tom will be so missed was his willingness to help people in need. Tom was always the first one to volunteer when repairs to a cave were required. Or if a friend’s car stranded them hours away from Denver, Tom would pack up his trailer and his faithful 4Runner “Reil” and ride to the rescue! He dedicated hours to the boys in Scouts to grow them into dependable, well guided young men, even after his own son had passed Eagle. It never even occurred to Tom that his honesty and willingness to help sometimes had a detrimental effect on his finances or resources…that was just the cost of helping a friend and doing the right thing.
Tom’s generosity in time, effort and resources will never be forgotten be those of us who will always keep him in our hearts. But in his passing, he leaves a large hole in the lives of those he touched, especially his family, as Ginger’s livelihood was primarily because of Tom’s auto shop. He always joked that “I’m not rich because I’m an honest mechanic,” and his passing leaves Ginger and Matthew with many expenses related to his services, and future of his auto shop. In addition to dealing with her father’s death, Ginger is also currently caring for her husband as he undergoes radiation and chemotherapy for two recently removed brain tumors. During this horrible time, her family has no means of income whatsoever.
We now respectfully ask to you to return Tom’s kindness over the years to his children, by making a donation to his GoFundMe campaign so that they may justly “do the right thing” with his services and his legacy. Any contribution is one appreciated and one made of love for Tom and his family. Some of the things that your donation will contribute to are:
• Mortuary Services and Memorial
• Supporting Ginger and her family with rent and food
• Paying the rent on the shop while Ginger and Matthew decide how to handle the business going forward
• Other things related to his passing such as lawyer fees, bills, etc that must be dealt with
Tom’s passing is hard on us all, but the hardest on Ginger and Matthew under these circumstances. In lieu of flowers or cards, please help us help them deal with this tragic loss, without the pressures of day to day living as well.
We miss you Tom.
Tom had owned and “wrenched” at his auto repair shop, Aspen Import Auto, since 1983. He worked side by side with his daughter Ginger each and every day, and with Matthew for many years as well. In addition to “fixing the little cars” as he put it, Tom was also a large supporter and founder of the Automezzi Italian car show, and the Rocky Mountain Fiat Lancia Club. An avid caver, he was an active member of the National Speleological Society, and often spent his weekends in the exploration and preservation of caves. He had been involved in the Boy Scouts of America where he assisted several scouts, including his son Matthew in achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Tom was a Military Veteran who attended West Pointe and later was a member of the reserves.
One of the many reasons Tom will be so missed was his willingness to help people in need. Tom was always the first one to volunteer when repairs to a cave were required. Or if a friend’s car stranded them hours away from Denver, Tom would pack up his trailer and his faithful 4Runner “Reil” and ride to the rescue! He dedicated hours to the boys in Scouts to grow them into dependable, well guided young men, even after his own son had passed Eagle. It never even occurred to Tom that his honesty and willingness to help sometimes had a detrimental effect on his finances or resources…that was just the cost of helping a friend and doing the right thing.
Tom’s generosity in time, effort and resources will never be forgotten be those of us who will always keep him in our hearts. But in his passing, he leaves a large hole in the lives of those he touched, especially his family, as Ginger’s livelihood was primarily because of Tom’s auto shop. He always joked that “I’m not rich because I’m an honest mechanic,” and his passing leaves Ginger and Matthew with many expenses related to his services, and future of his auto shop. In addition to dealing with her father’s death, Ginger is also currently caring for her husband as he undergoes radiation and chemotherapy for two recently removed brain tumors. During this horrible time, her family has no means of income whatsoever.
We now respectfully ask to you to return Tom’s kindness over the years to his children, by making a donation to his GoFundMe campaign so that they may justly “do the right thing” with his services and his legacy. Any contribution is one appreciated and one made of love for Tom and his family. Some of the things that your donation will contribute to are:
• Mortuary Services and Memorial
• Supporting Ginger and her family with rent and food
• Paying the rent on the shop while Ginger and Matthew decide how to handle the business going forward
• Other things related to his passing such as lawyer fees, bills, etc that must be dealt with
Tom’s passing is hard on us all, but the hardest on Ginger and Matthew under these circumstances. In lieu of flowers or cards, please help us help them deal with this tragic loss, without the pressures of day to day living as well.
We miss you Tom.
Organizer and beneficiary
David Taylor
Organizer
Arvada, CO
Ginger Warner
Beneficiary
