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BORN
1996
DIED
2016
Thomas Huber Obituary
Thomas Artyom Huber died on May 6, 2016 at St. Mary's hospital in Grand Junction after being hit by a car the night before. Thomas was born Artyom Kostyuk to Valeriy Ivanovych and Lyudmyla Olexandrivna Kostyuk in Poltava, Ukraine on June 28, 1996. He moved to the village of Zorivka as an infant where he was raised primarily by his great-grandmother. Thomas' sister Viktoria was born when he was 5 and he helped care for her for the first two years of her life. They both were placed in separate orphanages in the Cherkasy region when their great-grandmother could no longer care for them. Two year later, at age nine, Thomas was reunited with his sister when they were adopted by Jeff and Tami Huber. As part of the adoption process, Artyom chose the English name Thomas after being told the story of doubting Thomas by his English translator. On their first day as an official forever family, Thomas, Viktoria, Jeff and Tami celebrated Thanksgiving Day with chicken Kiev in Kiev since they don't eat turkey in Ukraine.
Upon arriving in Durango in November, 2005 Thomas attended Riverview Elementary School and then Miller Middle School. He spent part of one semester attending high school in Durango and then completed the therapeutic program at Cedar Ridge Academy and Boarding School in Roosevelt, Utah. In his early years Thomas excelled at playing soccer since he played that often as a young child in Ukraine. Because of his natural athletic ability, he quickly picked up golf, baseball, American football, lacrosse and enjoyed just about every kind of athletic activity where competition was involved.
Thomas was able to travel to Africa as part of a mission team from his church in 2011 where he worked with orphans at the Hope for Orphan Rescue and Education Center two hours from Nairobi, Kenya. He helped his 6th grade class at Miller raise enough money to put electricity in the boy's dorm at the orphanage so the boys could do their homework at night. Thomas also traveled to the Holy Land in 2014 and loved spending time at the Western Wall at midnight in prayer.
The Family would like to thank the Riverview Elementary Community for their tremendous support when Thomas Artyom first came to Durango, the staff of Miller Middle School for their encouragement and the members and friends of First United Methodist Church for their presence and prayers for Thomas these past 10 years.
We will remember Thomas for his laughter, strong opinions, big feet, dimples, his bright and beautiful smile and his ability to learn English in just a few months. He was preceded in death by his biological parents and a younger sister. Thomas is survived by his sister Viktoria; parents Jeff and Tami Huber; grandparents Judy, Mark, Barb, John and Terry; numerous aunts and uncles and cousins; and CJ.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given to the memorial fund for Thomas Huber at the First United Methodist Church which will be given to the Institute for Attachment and Child Development in Littleton, CO, http://instituteforattachment.org. A service of remembrance and celebration will be held Monday, May 23 at 6 p.m. at the Fort Lewis College Ballroom in Durango, CO.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Huber
James F Koenigsfeld
May 6, 2025
He'll be praying for his home country!! God bless the Hubers for their care for this fine young man.
James F Koenigsfeld
May 6, 2023
God bless you all this day.
James Koenigsfeld
May 6, 2021
Thinking of you all today.
Carolyn Cook
March 8, 2018
Thomas, I miss you so much. What happened isn't fair, but I hope you can find the comfort in your next life that you couldn't find in this one. I love you so much... Fly high angel.
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Crystal Goldberg
December 7, 2016
hey Thomas! i am so sorry for what has happened, my thoughts will always be with you and i miss you
Patricia Davis
May 25, 2016
Dear Tami, Viktoria and Jeff,
I just heard the news. You are in my prayers.
With love,
Patricia Davis
Ed Dudley's sister
Member of Smoky Hill UMC
Lucinda Long-Webb
May 23, 2016
I was so sad to hear about Thomas' passing. He was such a sweet boy. I remember the day he came to my English as a Second Language class. He spoke non-stop and I didn't understand a word of what he was saying, but I so enjoyed his animated stories! It didn't take him very long to learn English, so I enjoyed getting to know him.
I'm sure he is in a peaceful, loving place. Maybe teaching other kids English!!
Thank you Huber Family for opening up your hearts and home, plus sharing many wonderful experiences with Thomas.
-Lucinda Long-Webb
ESL Teacher/Durango School District 9-R
Jim Koenigsfeld
May 18, 2016
Hello, Jeff and Tami,
I'll be thinking of you and praying for you here in Pueblo. Fr. Jim Koenigsfeld
Doug and Connie Bishop
May 18, 2016
So sorry to hear of your loss. Are prayers are with you all.
May 17, 2016
Bob and I are so sorry to hear of your loss of your precious son. May you feel the love and support from those at Calvary and around you. Bob and Marcia Morris Calvary UMC
Paul & Josephine Bebout
May 17, 2016
We are so sorry for your loss, Pastor Jeff and family. You continue to be in our prayers.
Greg Picard
May 16, 2016
Thomas was so bright and personable and I enjoyed knowing him. I will miss him.
Olon Lindemood
May 16, 2016
You and Thomas shared love. Sorry you have to feel this pain.
Joyce Erickson
May 16, 2016
My thoughts are with you all at such a sad time.
Jack O'Neill
May 16, 2016
Thomas was a great football player, I enjoyed watching my son Michael and Thomas playing at Miller together while Jeff and I would run the chains on the sidelines. He was a good player, mentally tough, physically stronger than most of the other kids, great hands, good concentration and smart, my son gave hime a ride a week before he passed because Thomas called him and needed a ride, that the last contact we know of with him. My son said he was upbeat, had a good job, and his own house and doing great.
I remember the first day I saw Thomas suited to play for Miller Football and asked my son...what do you think of that Thomas running in plays to the huddle, alternating with my son....my son Mike said cool kid, like hime,...he has an accent..."he's from the Ukraine Dad, I like the way replays ball."
Rest now Thomas, your restless spirt has been invited home, the Lord has welcomed you to your new home. Jeff and family I wish it was a different outcome, but it was the Lord's plan, RIP Thomas
Laura Marchino
May 15, 2016
Thomas was so blessed to be united with Jeff and Tami and have so many amazing experiences in his young life. He has a special place in my family's heart because of our joint Cedar Ridge bond and the always unconditional hope and love of one's child.
May 13, 2016
Thomas was a blast to be around in Scouts and Soccer. His smile was contagious! Good memories of a fine young man.
Carie Harrison and Garrett Coleman
Rita Warfield
May 12, 2016
Your son, in his way to short life, experienced many things that people who live to be 90 never experience. That is a testament to the parenting you gave him, allowing him to experience life to it's fullest extent. I am so sorry for your family and I pray that all of the support from this community can repay some the constant spiritual support you give all of us.
Rustin & Kristianna Bartel
May 12, 2016
Our love and peace to the Huber family. They are such a beacon of this community and we feel blessed to have them in our lives. May the love of God wash over you now. We feel blessed to have be a part of Thomas' journey, however small. Rustin holds close the time spent with him both at Riverview and Durango High. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your beautiful family.
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