Obituary of Thomas "Tom" L. Rhule

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. No merit of my own I claim, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ the solid rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand. Thomas Leroy Rhule was reunited with all the saints and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Heaven, Thursday September 22, 2016 while in the gracious care of Lincoln Community Home Health and Hospice at Lincoln Park Living Center in Hugo Colorado. Tom was born in Denver Colorado on March 12, 1933 to the parents of Ted Rhule and Ellsie (McCallum) and became an heir to the kingdom of Heaven by the washing of water and the word in the receiving of the miracle of Holy Baptism. Tom was instructed and confessed his faith in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod on November 22, 1959 where he became a confirmed and communicant member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Arriba, Colorado. Tom continued to receive God's Holy Word, confessed his sins and partook of Jesus' true body and blood in the Lord's Supper until his passing. On July 7, 1957 Tom was united in marriage to Joan (Lukow) at Immanuel Lutheran Church and celebrated the gift of Holy matrimony for 56 years. Tom is survived by his son Mark, daughter in-law Sherri, granddaughter Ashlyn; son Rex, daughter in-law Lorre, granddaughters Cassaundra and Amanda; sister Inza Mae Halkovits as well as many nieces and nephews. Tom is preceded in death by his wife Joan, parents, Ted and Elsie as well as brothers Robert and Dan. Tom attended Denver public schools growing up and stayed with his Grandpa Roy in Arriba to help with his farm during the summers. Tom moved to Arriba his senior year and graduated from Arriba High School in 1951. After graduation Tom enlisted in the Navy & served on the aircraft carrier USS Valley Forge off the coast of Korea during the Korean conflict. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, Tom worked at Stapleton International airport for United Air Lines. When an opportunity arose Tom & Joan moved back to Arriba to buy his Grandpas farm. Tom also purchased Eberle's Grocery & then operated it as Rhules Grocery. Tom was very much a part of the community that he enjoyed to serve wearing several hats through the years as town board member, mayor, school board member, Immanuel Lutheran Church elder thru many changing times and decisions in all these organizations. Tom was known to have a quick smile, sense of humor, and willingness and desire to help anybody at anytime whether family or people coming into the store needing assistance. Tom lived on the farm until Joan's passing. He moved to the Bee Hive assisted living in Hugo shortly afterwards. He enjoyed the residents and the conversations with his care providers very much. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. In My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also be with Me. You know the place where I am going. I Am the way the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:1-4, 6