Thomas Heinerich Schrum Jr

Mr. Thomas H. Schrum was born to German immigrants, Thomas H. and Elsie Rohwer Schrum on August 29, 1930. They were farmers in a rural area outside of Agate Colorado. He and his sister six years his senior were born in the U.S. while his older siblings were also immigrants from Germany. Education was important for Tom and he graduated from high school in 1948 in Agate lettering in basketball. A small team of five players, the team won the State championship in his senior year. Tom was very proud of his military service in the United States Army serving from 1948 to 1952. He was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant.
Tom started life on the farm and upon entry to the army was listed as a farmer. Upon discharge, he worked for the railroad until he heard about the work in the oilfield which intrigued him. He worked the patch with Arapahoe Drilling for forty plus years often moving from one location to another when necessary. Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Nebraska were some of the states for relocation but Farmington became the home base and Farmington was his home since 1956.
When Tom retired from the oilfield and was driving mom nuts, he decided to become a crossing guard for the local schools. He absolutely loved that job. He was at Northeast Elementary making sure the kids were safe. He said that was the best job in the world. He always had stories to share with mom about his day.
Tom was a family man always providing the very best. He was passionate about his wife and children, his siblings, his nieces and nephews, his neighbors, and the neighborhood children. The kids would often come to the door to ask if Tom could come out and play. Out the door he would go to be the pitcher, catcher, umpire, or outfielder. Children lit up his life. He loved sharing a smile and a treat. He enjoyed showing them how to make things and again, always like to cap it off with some kind of treat. We called Dad the Cookie Monster of the family. How he loved his cookies. While in the hospital, he had his packages of mini cookies lined up along with his hard candy. He was always ready to share.
Tom lived the beatitudes. He reached out to those in need never expecting anything in return. If someone needed help, they could depend on Tom. He was very generous in giving of himself. He backed Mom in raising us in the Catholic Faith, volunteered when we were in Sacred Heart School, and volunteered to do a variety of things at St. Mary's all his life even though he never officially joined the church. To him, that was his church.
Tom was preceded in death by his wife Davine Schrum of nearly 54 years in 2010, his parents Thomas H. and Elsie Schrum, his siblings Claus Schrum, Hans Schrum, Margaret Hall, Katie Pemberton, Liselottie Newman, and AnnaMarie VanScoy; their spouses, and several nieces and nephews.
He is survived by his daughter Mindi-Kim Schrum, son and daughter-in-law David and Venette Schrum, and his grandson Milan Cirkovic as well as numerous nieces and nephews, wonderful neighbors, and friends.
A rosary will be said Thursday April 28, 2016 at 7pm at St. Mary's Catholic Church. The funeral Mass will be Friday April 29, 2016 at 11:00 am at St. Mary's Catholic Church officiated by Father Frank Chacon. Internment of ashes will be at Memory Gardens following the Mass. Reception will follow at the St. Mary's Parish Center Farmington.
The family would like to thank Dr. Marlene Bynum of the VA, Dr.'s Pandya, Solano, Adeneye, and Bevan of Four Corners Nephrology, the SJRMC 2nd floor nursing/aide staff who were so good to Dad, DaVita Four Corners Dialysis Center, the emergency response team, and the most wonderful neighbors God has blessed us.
Tom's arrangements are under the direction of Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St. in Farmington, 505-325-8688.