Earl Edward Tighe

Earl Edward Tighe, Major, US Air Force, Retired, passed away at his home on December 13, 2023, following a long struggle with cancer. Born in January 1934, Merced, California, of parents Thomas Tighe & Esther (Penner.) Earl was the eldest of three boys; his brothers are Lowell (Mary) and Martin (Barbara.)

Growing up in the country, Earl was an accomplished rodeo rider in high school, excelling in bareback bronc riding and team roping. After high school, Earl joined the Air Force, serving 28 and ½ years, first as enlisted airman, and later as a commissioned officer after completing Officer Candidate School. He served in Japan during the Korean conflict in 1953, and also served in Viet Nam as an Air Force Special Forces pilot.

After retirement from the Air Force, Earl went to work for Martin Marietta Corporation, managing payload engineers for the space shuttle, as well as numerous other satellite programs.

Earl’s passion for flying led him to purchase a private 4-place aircraft which he used to transport patients and medical supplies as part of the Angel Flights organization. He also enjoyed flying his wife and other family members to visit distant relatives.

Earl married his high school sweetheart, Marjorie Lea Walker in 1951, and together they raised three sons: Earl (Tom/Slim), Mike, and David. A highlight of their lives together was living in Naples, Italy for 4 years, where Earl was stationed with NATO. During that time the family visited much of Italy, and also made trips to Germany and France.

Upon return to the USA, Earl and Margie moved to Colorado Springs, and later Denver. Their boys, now grown, settled into their own lives. Tom moved to Bisbee, Arizona, where he met his wife Kelly. Mike remained in the Denver area, marrying Angela, and raising 2 sons, Benjamin and Brandon. David worked as a carpenter in the Denver area, and eventually became a contractor in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He married Betsy, and they had 2 children, Matthew and Cassandra. David and his family also lived for a period at Pensacola, Florida, and then later resettled in Portland, Oregon.

After his wife Margie died in 1986, Earl continued to work with Martin Corporation, and to visit his sons and their families.

A lifelong Christian, Earl became acquainted with Beverly Ann Luce at a church sponsored support group. For more than a year, Earl and Beverly dated. Then, in 1988, they entered into marriage – twice! Once at their church in Littleton, and then a second time in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Earl and Bev bought a home in Littleton, where they lived with Bev’s youngest daughter, Heather. Bev’s other children Chris and Sheri, and their families, were frequent visitors in the home, as well as Earl’s sons and their families.

Earl and Bev were active in their church, serving as Elders, Ushers, and bible school educators.

Beverly owned and managed a graphic design business (TighTech) in downtown Denver, until 9/11 caused a downturn in the economy. Afterwards, Bev worked as a real estate agent.

For more than 30 years, Earl and Bev lived in their Littleton home, watching their children’s families grow, and the sound of grandchildren was often heard throughout the house. One grandchild, Karisah, was raised in the household, and travelled with her grandparents as they continued flying visits to relatives spread from the midwest to the west coast. Earl and Karisah joined the Westernaires precision drill equestrian organization, where Karisah learned horsemanship and riding while Earl wrangled horses and assisted around the barns and corrals.

In February, 2020, Beverly passed away tragically and unexpectedly. Her loss came as a shock to Earl and to the entire family and to her many friends in their church and community. A brief interment ceremony was held for Beverly at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, attended by family. Unfortunately, soon afterwards the pandemic prevented organizing a larger gathering of family and friends to remember Beverly, and to celebrate her life and accomplishments.

For several years prior to Beverly’s passing, Earl was under treatment for prostate cancer. His son David, now living in Denver, moved in with Earl to comfort and assist his ailing father, becoming Earl’s full-time live-in caregiver. David had previously worked as a nurse, and his experience was invaluable while caring for Earl. It is due to David’s unwavering care and presence that Earl was able to remain in his home until the cancer finally brought his life to its end.

Earl will be interred at Fort Logan National Cemetery, with full military honors, at 1:30 pm, on Friday, May 3, 2024. Please arrive at 1:15pm at Staging Area C. Due to military restrictions, the ceremony will be brief, and attendance limited. Earl’s remains will be buried alongside his beloved wife, Beverly, where the two of them may rest for eternity.

The following day Saturday, May 4, 2024, Earl’s and Beverly’s church, Grace Point Community Church of Littleton, Colorado will host a memorial of Earl’s & Bev’s lives. A worship service will be held in the sanctuary at 11:30 am, followed immediately by hugs and celebration in the social hall. The family invites the congregation and friends to share your memories and blessings with us all.

Preceded in death: Beverly (2020), Michael (2012) and Marjorie (1986). Surviving Family: Brothers: Lowell (Mary) and Martin (Barbara) Children: Tom (Kelly), David, Chris, Sheri (Ed), Heather (Bobby), Grandchildren: Benjamin, Brandon, Matthew, Cassandra, Savannah, Zoe, C. Zachariah, Shannon, Karisah (Phil), Christian, Austin Great-grandchildren: Sophia, Olivia, Gabriel, Levi, Melody, Brooks, Nolan, Liliana, Elliot (Ellie), Brigham, Bodhi.

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