Thomas Jay Ranz “Tom” died on April 21, 2026 of a ruptured spleen sustained in a motorcycle accident. He was born on April 21, 1954 in Urbana, IL to Jim and Delores Ranz. He grew up in Laramie, except for a few years in Vancouver, B.C., where he loved to pick cherries right off the tree. He attended Laramie H.S. graduating with the class of ’72. While there he met his future wife Phyllis (Wenger), they were married in ’76. He was a master motorcycle mechanic with a career spanning 50 years. Tom had a passion for motorcycles. He raced dirt bikes, flat track and rode street bikes. If something had mechanical components, Tom could fix it. He rode snowmobiles, shot trap, bowled, hunted, fished, played baseball, boxed, rode the 4 wheeler with his grandkids and exercised his beloved dog, B.B. He loved being with family and friends, entertaining them with his quick wit. He was a member of the Eagles and the American Legion. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Phyllis, his daughter Patty Literati (Alex) of Laramie, a nephew/surrogate son Daniel (Jennie) McDonald of San Jose, CA, grandchildren Cy, Gaia, Dharma and Vega Literati all of Laramie, a Sister JoAnn (Tim) Cuthbertson of Thornton, a brother John Ranz (Peri Forest) of Laramie, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents and a niece, Julie Ranz.
Tom was loved by his family and friends and will be deeply missed.
Services will be Friday May 1st at 2:30p at Montgomery Stryker followed by a reception at the Eagles at 4p.m.
25 Comments To "Thomas J. Ranz"
#1 Comment By Norman L Hilgenberg On April 25, 2026 @ 2:04 pm
Tommy was one of a kind, Great friend. I will miss visting with him this summer when I come to Laramie. My deepest condolences to his family and many friends. Norman L Hilgenberg
#2 Comment By Phyllis Ranz On April 25, 2026 @ 7:25 pm
Thank you Norm. Tom was a strong pressence to all who knew him. You were friends with he and John for a long time and you still kept in touch with him all these years. You were a very good friend and I knew it.
#3 Comment By Dominic & Mardell Aragon On April 26, 2026 @ 9:18 am
Phyllis,
Dom and I send our deepest condolences to you and your family. We were saddened to hear. Hugs and prayers to you and your family.
#4 Comment By Bill Berendsen On April 26, 2026 @ 7:02 pm
I knew Tom from back in the day, we snowmobiled together and he helped me with set ups on my race sleds. I always enjoyed Tom’s wit and sense of humor. I saw him a couple months ago and it has always been a pleasure to catch up with him from time to time. It’s a shock to hear that he has passed and I am truly sorry. Bill Berendsen
#5 Comment By Rich Avery On April 27, 2026 @ 2:00 pm
I still own the air compressor we did some trading over, and the 700 Polaris I bought from him. Tom was a special person that I enjoyed visiting with. He had an incredible knowledge of mechanical things but never tried to impress anyone with his knowledge. I enjoyed visiting with him and his gentle nature! Until I see you again someday….
#6 Comment By Marlis Slater On April 30, 2026 @ 4:44 am
Dear Patty and Family,
My heart goes out to you all. I’m so sorry for your loss.
#7 Comment By Jeff Owens On April 27, 2026 @ 4:38 pm
I am deeply saddened by the loss of Tom. We always enjoyed hunting doves even if we didn’t see a single bird all day long we enjoyed catching up together. Prayers go out to Phyllis and Patty. RIP my friend.
Jeff and Regina Owens
#8 Comment By Joslynn Parks On April 27, 2026 @ 7:59 pm
Phyllis, my family and I send our deepest condolences. I was one of the initial people on scene of the accident and helped keeping him as stable and calm as possible until first responders arrived. He spoke so much of you and your grandchildren during that time.
#9 Comment By Patty Literati On April 29, 2026 @ 11:00 am
Thank you for being with my dad during that time. I’m so glad he wasn’t alone. My kids loved him deeply and miss him dearly, as do I.
#10 Comment By Anonymous On April 28, 2026 @ 9:00 am
Phylis and family,
My condolences for the loss of Tom. I remember the wonderful time spent at “Front and Rear” Cycles when it was on Garfield. We had a great time working in the shop and I learned a lot from Tom.
Sincerely,
Frosty Selmer
#11 Comment By Dan Gale On April 28, 2026 @ 4:19 pm
I’ll miss you buddy, thanks for all the help and friendship throughout the years.
#12 Comment By Terri Frausto On April 28, 2026 @ 9:50 pm
So sorry for your loss Phylis. Tom was such a great guy. Saw him last on his motorcycle ride through wheatland canyon at Shamrock. He was so happy to be on a day ride. God bless you all. Love & prayers from Bob & Theresa (Terri) Frausto
#13 Comment By Kevin Wardlaw On April 29, 2026 @ 10:27 am
Phyllis, Patty, John and the rest of the Ranz family, so sorry to hear about Tom. I always enjoyed working with Tom at Frontier Cycles and learned a lot from him. His playful antics will be missed by all those who knew him.
I lost touch after leaving the state, hope you are all doing well.
#14 Comment By Carl J Miller On April 29, 2026 @ 12:00 pm
To all the Ranz family, I was so sad to hear that Tom passed. I will always remember and cherish the time I spent with Tom riding bikes in the mountains. I learned more from him and the riding gang how to really ride. Tom had one of those minds that could dissect something mechanical and find solutions to fix it. His quick wit was always a joy to be around, I will miss him!
#15 Comment By Suzanne Luhr On April 29, 2026 @ 12:12 pm
I’m so sorry Phyllis and Patty, Alex, John. JoAnn. I have good memories of Tom. He helped me find my first motorcycle and taught me to ride it. So very sorry…
#16 Comment By Bill Jussila On April 29, 2026 @ 4:25 pm
Phyllis Thinking of you Bless you and your family
#17 Comment By Cody Brown On April 29, 2026 @ 5:01 pm
Like many, I knew Tom from Frontier Cycles. Over the years, he worked on bikes for my wife, my father-in-law, and me. We spent time riding together and catching up whenever we could before we left Laramie. He was always a pleasure to be around. I’m truly sorry for your loss.
#18 Comment By Vicki Heinrich On April 29, 2026 @ 6:53 pm
My deepest sympathy for the family. I have known Tom since the 80’s. Was a great person and he will be missed. He was fun to visit with when he worked for Roy at Frontier Cycles. RIP my friend.
#19 Comment By Emily Braunberger On April 29, 2026 @ 7:15 pm
Phillis, I am so sorry to hear about Tommy. He was such an amazing man, and will be greatly missed.
#20 Comment By Rooster Harris On April 30, 2026 @ 5:25 am
The Ranz family, I am so sorry to hear. He will be missed a lot. I looked forward to shooting sporting clays with him every year, doing tournaments with him, learning about mechanical details on my snowmobiles, but most importantly his quick and sassy comments from him! He put a smile on my face anytime we got together. Until we can give each other jokes again Tommy, we will shoot shot guns, and ride sleds, when everyone meets up again. He will be deeply missed by many.
#21 Comment By Kathleen Susan Pantier On April 30, 2026 @ 7:07 am
Patti Tom and Phyllis and Jim and Pete had so many adventures togehter over the years. We lived next door to each other for years until they moved in town. Tom was a great man who lived life to the fullest. He will be missed. He is at peace now. I hope you are all doing well and take comfort in knowing how much he loved and how much he was loved by all who knew him. God bless you all.
#22 Comment By Marge On April 30, 2026 @ 10:51 am
Thinking of you all on Friday. Keeping you all in my prayers.
#23 Comment By Terri Hull Jones On May 1, 2026 @ 6:04 am
To all of the Ranz Family, I am so very sorry to learn of Tom’s passing. Tom was so kind and genuinely interested in his friends and those needing his expertise. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
#24 Comment By john syler On May 13, 2026 @ 5:48 pm
Condolences to Phyllis and family, I knew you both in high-school and went to Beitel elementary with Tom. I’ve always been a fan of his.. he’s the Steve McQueen of Laramie and was always an inspiration to me. God Bless him. Best , John Syler.
.
#25 Comment By Gloria Stoddard On June 2, 2026 @ 4:26 pm
Phyllis, Iam so sorry for your loss. Tom was a wonderful person condolences to you and your family.