Amherst Magazine Obituary

Phillip Arthur Tague, Esq. 77, died at Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, CO on Saturday, April 2nd, 2016.

The youngest of 12 children, Art was born February 23rd, 1939 in Augusta, Kansas to Joe Sephus and Angie Dora (Moser) Tague. He graduated from Augusta High School and, after serving his country in the United States Marine Corps, attended Amherst College where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity.

He married Janet Sue (Steddum) in 1963 and moved to Denver to attend law school. While at the University of Denver School of Law he was very active, serving as the Student Representative to the American Bar Association and as the President of the Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity. After earning his J.D., he enjoyed a long and successful career as a criminal defense attorney.

He was a loving and gregarious man who had many hobbies and interests. He could often be seen riding his motorcycle or driving his first generation electric car around town. He is always described as larger than life and one of a kind!

He enjoyed staying active in the law community throughout his career, whether it was teaching a class at DU or serving on the Governor's Criminal Sentencing Committee. He was proud to be elected as the President of the Metropolitan Denver Law Alumni Association and Chairman of the Young Lawyers Section of the Arapahoe County Bar Association.

He loved to travel and learn new things, even becoming a paramedic in his spare time. He also enjoyed studying and researching our family's genealogy. He uncovered the entire family lineage from their arrival in the U.S. in 1610 and ultimately even back through the centuries in Europe to the Vikings in the 7th century.

"P. A.", as he liked being called in his retirement, was a life-long baseball fan --whether it was playing little league in his hometown as a boy, or following his beloved Colorado Rockies. He was a frequent fixture behind home plate at Coors Field as one of the first season ticket holders in the franchise's history!

He also closely followed the Broncos and particularly enjoyed sharing their recent Super Bowl win with his grandkids!

He was an avid tournament poker player as well, and traveled all around Colorado to compete. He was especially honored to be invited and to play in the World Series of Poker Tournament in Las Vegas.

But above all, his greatest love was that for his children and grandchildren. Being "Pops" was truly his favorite vocation. He is survived by Janet, two daughters, Artis (’91) (Todd Alamin) and Audrey (Mike Levernier), and six cherished grandchildren (all of California) as well as his brother Paul Tague (of Littleton, CO).

Art will be remembered for his strong sense of justice and desire to help write the law to reflect this, his untiring devotion to helping others, his ability to find humor in any situation, and most of all, his love and support of his adoring family.