Thomas James “T.J.” Eitel, age 68, passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2026. He was a resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado, for over 15 years and was formerly a resident of Hanover.
T.J. was born on April 26, 1958, to James Michael Eitel and Deborah Paisley Eitel in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He attended Air Academy High School, graduating in 1976, and spent over 25 years managing road construction efforts across the state of Colorado.
T.J. loved his dogs – in his life he had Australian and German Shepherds. In the past ten years he traveled across Colorado, camping and enjoying many journeys with his beloved Sahara.
TJ enjoyed tinkering with anything mechanical – especially anything with a motor. Whether trucks, vintage cars, or motorcycles, T.J. and his friends would spend hours replacing motors, finding cool parts, or just talking cars and adventures.
He is survived by his two children, Darnell Thomson and Danyell Simons, and his three siblings: Mike Eitel, Sue Eitel, and Rebecca McCullough.
A celebration of T.J.’s life will be held at a date and location to be determined in the near future.
Memorials in T.J.’s name may be made to Colorado Aussie Rescue (9513 Milwaukee Ct., Thornton CO 80229).
