Jerome Lee DeGree of Westcliffe, Colorado, passed away October 23, 2018, peacefully in his sleep at his home.

He was born February 16, 1941, in Cañon City, CO, to John and Frances {White} DeGree. He met and married on March 27, 1965, Carolyn Barnum while he was stationed in the ARMY in Michigan.
For the two of them it was love at first sight and they would tell you that until the end.

After Jerome was done serving his country, he brought his young bride to live in Westcliffe, CO, where they began their lives as Rancher and Farmers on the family ranch. They were married for 53 years when she passed away.

Jerome was a very supportive dad with his three daughters; Denise Koch, Jeri Lynn Thornton and LeAnn King. He went to their school functions, showed them how to respect and handle firearms, enjoy the valley and the great outdoors. He used to say, “That it took his three girls as bait to get his three sons”.

Jerome was an avid hunter, rancher, farmer and mechanic. His knowledge of all was passed onto several generations of family and friends.

Jerome is survived by children Denise (Vince) Koch of Westcliffe, Jeri Lynn (Kurt) Thornton of Fort Collins, LeAnn (Stewart) King of Severance; grandchildren Marc Koch of Westcliffe, JC Koch and fiancée Jaime Beach of Westcliffe, Brooke and Jonathon Clark of Wellington, Hannah and Logan Anderson of Greeley, Jason and Logan Thornton of Fort Collins, Derrick, Samantha and Colton King of Severence, Hillary King of Denver; a great-grandson Collin (Baumann) Koch and a great-granddaughter Laramee Koch. Also surviving is sister-in-law Mickey DeGree of Florence.

He was preceded by his parents, loving wife Carolyn and older brothers Joe and Gene DeGree and special cousin/like brother, Ron Vickerman.

Viewing starts at 3 p.m. and Rosary starts at 4 p.m on Friday, November 2nd at the Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Westcliffe, CO.
Funeral service begins at 10 a.m Saturday, November 3rd at the Church which is located at 109 S. 5th Street in Westcliffe. There will be a Celebration of Life reception at the church hall following Interment at the Lady of the Assumption Cemetery.