Ivan K. Tuma

Ivan Karrl Tuma was born on March 8, 1942. He left us on March 12, 2018 at the age of 76. He was born to Miloslava and Jan Tuma in Prague Czechoslovakia. Ivan passed away after complications from heart surgery.

Ivan loved his family and provided a good home. He is survived by his loving wife Jane, his son Ivan Jr., and extended family residing in Czechia.

Life was difficult during and after World War II. Ivan was raised by his loving grandmother Emma in a small Prague apartment. Once he grew up, he trained as an industrial electrician and studied at the Czechoslovak military academy to become an officer. Being a fast learner, he was given more responsibility than his age would dictate - he oversaw over 200 personnel monitoring military air traffic over the country before he left the service.

Ivan met Jane, his wife of 53 years at a dance in her home town of Trenčin, Slovakia, while he was completing his studies in 1964. From the beginning, Ivan and Jane were soul-mates. They soon were married and settled back in Prague where Jane gave birth to their son, Ivan Jr. in 1968.

Ivan belonged to a community of Czech hikers and musicians whimsically known as the "Tramps" who idealized the American West. Ivan gained life-long friends in the Tramp community – the diaspora of which today span the globe. The common bonds to the Tramp community were good humor, and the love of music. Guitars and banjos were always playing in our home – Ivan always practiced his music before Tramp meetups to perfect his style.

By the time the Soviets invaded Czechoslovakia in 1968, Ivan knew he had to leave his home country. Like many people at the time, Ivan decided to move the family to America starting in 1969 - which didn't come without its costs. Ivan and Jane migrated through Austria with their friends, being accepted as refugees in the US and resettling in New Jersey. However, their son Ivan Jr., still a toddler in 1969, wasn't allowed to rejoin Ivan and Jane until 1975.

Although Ivan worked as an electrician, he was an independent soul - trying many small business ventures ranging from being a New Jersey swimming pool contractor in the 70's, to running two businesses concurrently: a Kit Carson bar and Denver import/export business with the help of his business partner and good friend Stan Krauss in the 1980's. Ivan was always available to give friends and neighbors guidance based on his own past experience.

He always fought to be independent and made sure the family could take care of ourselves. He passed on skills and knowledge to Ivan Jr. and made sure Jane could take care of the family in case anything happened to him.

Ivan never gave up, he could be stubborn - mostly in a good way. Despite his fear of heights, he learned to fly a small plane, just to be able to say he could. We lived the western life; riding horses, raising rabbits, planting gardens and canning vegetables. Ivan lived a full life - traveling to many parts of the world with his wife and friends. He really enjoyed his retirement with Jane. Ivan's family, including Ivan Jr's wife Kerry were by his side until the end.

Farewell, Godspeed Ivan … your departure leaves the world a little less bright.


** Vlajka vzhuru letí, k radosti svých detí, **

** hned se s mrácky snoubí, **

** vlát bude zas až mladí cas opustí nás…**


Services will be held Thursday, March 22, at Newcomer Funeral Home, 901 S Sheridan Blvd Lakewood, CO 80226 Gathering starts at 12:30 pm followed by the Service at 1:00pm

Reception: After the main service (above); reception will be held at 3pm at: Mickey's in Denver (70th and Broadway). we will provide small appetizer platters from the restaurant. 6950 Broadway, Denver, CO 80221

To share a memory of Ivan or leave a special condolence message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.