Thomas "Tom" DeSoto, 95, of Sterling went home to our Lord March 5, 2012, with his family by his side. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Thursday, March 8, with Vigil service and Rosary to follow at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, March 9, at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Iliff, with Fr. Robert Wedow officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery.

Tom was born May 19, 1916, at his family's home near Sterling, to James and Pauline (Doglio) DeSoto. He attended Sanders School and Sterling High School.

He married Alba Vecchia on Nov. 20, 1939, and together they raised three children on the family farm. Alba died July 1, 1983. On July 21, 1990 he married Jenevieve Manuello.

He was a member of Northeastern Cattlemen's Association, Colorado Cattlemen's Association, a life member of Elks Lodge, and on the board of directors for the Gary DeSoto building. In 1991 he was honored as the Logan County Fair Parade Marshal.

Tom's interests were raising cattle, farming, and being with family. Even in his later years he spent a great deal of time at the farm with his family and friends. He always loved spending time with young people, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Jenevieve; daughter, Jeannette Cannon and husband Mike of Fowler and grandchildren, Aaron and wife Jennifer of League City, Texas, and Sara of Boulder; daughter, Gloria Fritzler of Sterling and grandchildren, Mark and wife Stace of Fort Collins, Monica Lorenzini and husband Jamey of Fort Morgan, Kendra Moseley and husband Dave of Windsor; daughter-in-law, Anita Tedford of Odessa, Texas, and grandchildren Stephanie Bankhead and husband Ron of Amarillo, Texas, Karen Wolfe and husband Jeff of Hermosa Beach, Calif. He was survived by two brothers, Marion (Oats) and John and wife Mary; one sister, Gracie Accomasso; and sister-in-law, Angie DeSoto, all of Sterling; step-son, Gene Manuello and Kathy Seetch of Sterling, and step-grandchildren, Stacie Datteri and husband Brett of Greeley, Laura Slifer and husband Stan of Littleton and Susan of Denver; step-daughter, Dowene Gregory and husband Glen of Encinitas, Calif., and step-grandchildren, Glen and wife Paige of Marietta, Ga., and Chris Gregory of Atlanta; step-daughter, Carole Bretz and husband Ken of Sterling and step-grandchildren Kevin and wife Vanessa of Windsor, Karynn of Chester, S.D., Kyle and wife Shelia of Fort Collins; step-daughter, Vickie Cecil and husband Jim of Cope and step-grandchildren Misty Lyman and husband Dustin of Cope, Jamie Adam and husband Jesseb of Wichita, Kan.; step-daughter, Tammie Malone of Colorado Springs, and step-grandchildren, Chris Hoal of Greeley, Brian Hoal of Grand Junction; step-daughter, Shellie Haragan and husband Bill of Colorado Springs. He is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; 18 step-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by parents, James and Pauline DeSoto; wife, Alba DeSoto; son, Gary DeSoto; son-in-law, Mel Fritzler; brothers and sisters, James, Domenic, Nora, Eugene, Lela, Kathryne, Albert, Rosemary; and many friends.

Memorials may be made to St. Anthony Catholic Church and the Gary DeSoto building.