Tag Archives: Obituary

Obituary: Ralph Louis Hey

Obituary
Ralph Louis Hey

Ralph Louis Hey

Born January 9th, 1943 in Okeene, OK to Carl Mark and Alice Hey, passed away April 10, 2025 in Casa Grande, AZ. Ralph spent his earliest years in Okeene, OK, until his parents purchased the Lodge at Lake San Isabel, CO, in 1952 and the Heys moved to this location. He attended school in Rye, CO, graduating in 1961. He was a freshman on the 1958 State Champion Basketball team, scored the first touchdown for the newly established Rye High School Football team, was a member of the 1960 State Champion Baseball team and set the career scoring record for the Basketball Team. In 1961 Ralph moved to Cañon City, CO, and played fast pitch softball, American Legion baseball and went on to be a two-time Cañon City Champion in Singles and Doubles competing in Tennis. He accomplished both the Tennis Championships again in 1969. He decided to attend Adams State College and compete in Basketball, Baseball and Tennis. Ralph graduated from ASC in 1966 and moved to Los Angeles, CA in 1967. Later in life he continued his education at the University of Southern California, Western State College, and the University of Northern Colorado.
In 1969 he began teaching and coaching at Vona Public Schools in Vona, CO. The following year the neighboring school in Seibert, CO, burnt down causing the schools to consolidate. Mr. Hey was asked to assist with the newly established school by naming it Hi- Plains, making the mascot the Patriots and the colors Red, White and Blue. He also started and coached the football program in 1970. Coach Hey was very proud to be the Guest of Honor at the 40th Anniversary of Hi-Plains High School in 2010. In 1972 Coach Hey relocated to Custer County High School in Westcliffe, CO, to teach and coach for the next 26 years. From 1972-1974 the Boys Basketball teams placed at the state tournament and set many state records, while some are still standing. He started Girls Basketball at Custer County in 1974. Some of Coach Hey’s career accolades are coaching High School Basketball for 8 years with a record of 140-39 with 6 League/District Championships and 4 Regional Championships. In Basketball he coached 16 All-State Players and 3 All-American Players. His Junior High Football record was 186-43 over 25 seasons. For 29 years he coached Jr. High Basketball accounting for a record of 1,067 wins with only 188 loses during this time. While coaching the Jr. High Track and Field team for 26 years, his boys’ teams won the West Central League 24 of those years. Coach Hey became the first Athletic Director for Custer County High School and held that capacity for 20 years, in 1993 he was named the State Athletic Director of the Year. Mr. Hey influenced thousands of student athletes over the course of his career.
Ralph served 14 years on the CHSAA Board of Control, many tournament committees for Basketball/Volleyball and has been honored for contributions in football, basketball, and track at the State level. He was the Meet Director for 19 Regional Track Meets and was a State Track Official for 41 years (21 years Head Finish Judge and 8 years on the Games Committee and Jury of Appeals). In 2002 he was honored as a member of the Colorado Football Association. Coach Hey oversaw 7 State Football Playoff games, 17 District and 11 Regional Basketball Tournaments, 6 Regional Wrestling Tournaments, and 6 District and 3 Regional Volleyball Tournaments.
Mr. Hey held a license as a Colorado Guide and Outfitter. He was hired out by multiple movie crews to take them fishing and tour mines in the Custer County area during filming of local movies. He even was an extra in a few throughout the years. He loved hunting and fishing; he fished in 50 of the 53 lakes in the Sangre de Cristo Range and climbed a few 14ers.
In 1975 he was one of the four original founders and board members of The Valley Park Recreation and Youth Center in Westcliffe, CO. He helped organize the beginning of
the adult softball program in 1979 and was one of the original owners of Shadow Ridge Sub-Division established in 2003.
Coach Hey attended many big-time sporting events such as 6 Super Bowls, 3 Final Fours, 1 World Series, 1 Stanley Cup and worked as a Marshall at the 1985 U.S. Open Golf Tournament. He was a season ticket holder for the Denver Broncos and the Colorado Rockies throughout the years. He always loved the University of Oklahoma because his father played football and basketball there.
Ralph was an avid golfer and won multiple tournaments in Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. He also served as a board member for Northern New Mexico Senior Men’s Golf Association for 8 years and was President in 2007. The Association gave 11 scholarships to Custer County High School seniors in a 7-year span. His annual Pig and Putt Golf Tournament in Walsenburg, CO, carried on for 19 years.
After retirement from Custer County School District, Ralph and his wife Donna moved to Casa Grande, AZ.
He spent almost every day of the week playing golf at the area courses.
When he wasn’t golfing, he was busy making fresh lemonade from his lemon trees and watching sports on TV. He always looked forward to visits from friends. Grandpa Ralph cherished every time his or Donna’s grandchildren came to Arizona.
Ralph Hey is survived by his loving wife Donna Paschall of Casa Grande, AZ, sister Cathy Hey (Bruce Olson) of Sioux Falls, SD, son Grady Camper of Walden, CO, son Tanner (Lindsey) Camper of Westcliffe, CO, Donna’s daughter Anne (Evan) Miller of Lampe, MO, Donna’s son Nathan (Susan) Ruhl of Seattle, WA, grandchildren Sawyer and Savanna Camper of Walden, CO, Caroline
and Harvey Camper of Westcliffe, CO, Donna’s grandchildren Taylor (Gage) Luketich and family of Wasilla, AK, Travis and Trey Leiker of Aurora, CO, and Asha Ruhl of Seattle, WA.
There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Westcliffe, CO. It will be held in the Town of Ula at 403 County Road 175 from 12-3 p.m.

Service for Mark Evert

Obituary
Mark Evert

Mark Evert

Mark Steven Evert was born in Zumbrota, Minnesota, on May 25, 1954. He went to Heaven April 7, 2025, in Pueblo, Colorado. He was preceded in death by his parents Ina and Lawrence Evert, sister Patricia Anderson, and brothers Jeffrey and William Evert. He is survived by his brothers Lawrence (Sherri) and Michael (Sharon) Evert, wife Dawn Evert, and children Johnathon (Brianna) Evert and Michelle (Chris) Segura, along with stepchildren Mikaela (Robert) Goodwater and Tyler (Lindsay) Carlock. They also shared eight grandchildren and one great grandson.
Mark moved to the Wet Mountain Valley in 1990 and raised his children there and built countless beautiful homes. He retired to Pueblo two years ago where he spent his time relaxing and enjoying every day. He had a wild spirit and his love for the outdoors was contagious. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and didn’t know a stranger. His pride and joy were his children and grandchildren, he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
His memorial service will be held Friday, April 18th at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Westcliffe, Colorado, located at 410 S. 6th Street.

Obituary: Eva Joyce Rathbun Colgate

Obituary
Eva Joyce Rathbun Colgate

Eva Joyce Adams Rathbun Colgate, the second of three girls, was born on July 9,1929  in the Rocky Ford Hospital in Rocky Ford, Otero County, Colorado to Lea and Celesta Adams.  She lived there until 1931-1932 when her parents moved their family to Custer County.  A few years later the Adams bought the Willow Glen Dairy. She went to the one room Willows School House from 1-8 grades and then attended and graduated from Custer County High School in 1947.  She attended Colorado A and M College and graduated with a B.S in Vocational  Home Economics in 1952

She met William (Bill) B. Rathbun  and they were married in Madison, Wisconsin in 1954.  She gave birth to a daughter, Joan, in 1955.  They moved to Lauderdale, Minnesota, a suburb of St Paul, for Bill to complete his Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota.  In 1961 they adopted a toddler, Kirk.

After many decades of marriage, they divorced.  Eva moved back to Custer County and reconnected with and married George T. Colgate.  They lived for years on the Colgate family ranch near Hillside, Colorado. Health concerns moved them to lower altitude in Canon City.  Later as a widow, she continued to live independently in Canon City.

Throughout her life she was an exceptional seamstress, homemaker, teacher, school bus driver, entrepreneur, award winning quilter, and dedicated community volunteer.

She died on January 31 at the age of 95. She is survived by her daughter, Joan and her 2 grandchildren Gillian and Travis and extended family throughout  the area.

A private immediate family only interment  is planned.

Joan Marie Kelly Barnett- Obituary

Obituary
Joan Marie Kelly Barnett

If it’s true that everyone leaves behind a legacy, then Joan Marie Kelly Barnett’s legacy is Love.  Born May 16, 1938, in Miller’s Crossing, Newfoundland, Canada, Joan passed away peacefully on February 6, 2025, in Cotopaxi, Colorado. In her final days, she was surrounded by loving family members and caregivers, all of whom adored her.
Joan’s deep faith was unshakeable, and her love of Jesus was always front and center. Her caring and caregiving nature meant she cherished people, especially those with special needs, whom she worked with for many years. Music
brought Joan great joy, and Leonard Cohen’s voice often filled her home. She saw the beauty in every-thing, particularly the
natural world, and she relished camping, hiking, and being outdoors. She could out-hike younger people well into her 70s and always enjoyed pointing out various plants and flowers like the lupines she loved.
Joan never met a stranger—only friends she hadn’t gotten to know yet. “Love,” “My Love,” and “Me Love” rolled off her tongue often and never failed to make the recipient feel like they were just a little bit extra special—even though everyone was special to her. She loved sharing stories about growing up in Newfoundland and her lifetime of travels around the globe, and she never failed to make people smile and laugh with her funny anecdotes and her charming “Newfie” accent. She was a wonderful cook and her fried bread was legendary.
Joan is survived by her devoted husband, David Barnett; her four sons: Rick, Ken, Glenn, and Paul Kreibich; her two sisters: Pauline (Kelly) Hines and Mary (Kelly) Rootes; two brothers, Emile
and Kevin Kelly; seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, as well as spouses and friends.
Joan was truly one of a kind—a bright light and a sweet and funny soul—and her absence is deeply felt. Rest in peace, Me Love.
A service will be held at 10 a.m on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Our Lady of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church in Westcliffe, Colorado.

Cosme Daniel “Danny” Hernandez -Obituary

Obituary
Cosme Daniel “Danny” Hernandez

Cosme Daniel “Danny” Hernandez left us February 8, 2025. Danny was born in Pinar del Rio Province, Cuba, in 1927, and from a very young age learned to be resourceful and quite the entrepreneur. His careers in Cuba included serving as a police officer, the Cuban Navy/Coast Guardsman which they call a Marine and he worked at an American electric company. It was the day he was handed a communist newspaper and told this is what he now was to read that he tore it into two pieces and knew it was time to go to the United States. Unfortunately, his family stayed behind in Cuba. He landed in New Jersey and once again his entrepreneurial spirit prevailed working multiple jobs, one of which was selling quality women’s dresses and jewelry. This would be his most important job as he met the love of his life when he sold several dresses to Hildalisa Chavez.
Quite smitten, she said to him she could not pay him in full but that he must come back weekly for payments. They were married August 30, 1963. Shortly after they married, they moved to Miami where they created their beautiful life together. Throughout their 62 years together, they traveled the world, visiting France, Italy, Spain, Argentina and Austria, to name a few. He was a successful business owner, always considering his family, supporting where he could. He was generous to a fault. Never denied any financial requests. A true living angel.
He even went back to Cuba decades later to visit his sisters and was able to build them a home with indoor plumbing. One of his proudest moments in life. Danny and Lisa were sweethearts to the end, always loving with each other, always holding hands, a true love story.


He will be missed dearly by all. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Hildelisa C. Hernandez, sister-in-law, Esther (Rodolfo, deceased) Barrio, niece Barbara (Ron) Beckner, and many many nieces and nephews and even more dear friends.

Memorial services to be held at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, 109 South Fifth Street, Westcliffe, CO 81252, February 20,
2025 at 9:30 a.m.   Rosary at 9:20 a.m.

Obituary – Lanny David (LD) Walker

 

Lanny David (LD) Walker died peacefully in the hospital in Colorado Springs, CO, on December 13, 2024. He was
a long-time resident of Westcliffe, CO.
LD was born in Houston, TX, to Lanham and Lorretta (Valentine) Walker on November 15, 1939. He was the second of three children and the only boy. He loved playing by the bayou as a boy and had wonderful stories about living there.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Anne Walker and is survived by his children, Elizabeth (Robert) Scully
of Salida, CO, Charles Greenhow of Azle, Texas, and Wayne (Jacque) Walker of Austin, TX; his sister, Jane (Jim) Kincaid; and his cousin, Georgia. He leaves behind several grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom he loved with all his heart and was very
proud of.
Besides his family, he loved motorcycles and flying airplanes. He was a Veteran, having served in the Army. He worked for the railroad all his life. He was a volunteer firefighter for over 12 years. He also served as a Deputy Sheriff for Parker County in Texas for 20 years. He was a man of many talents.
The place he loved the best was Colorado. He loved looking at the mountains, especially when there was snow on them. Sunsets were his favorite time. He always shared pictures of them with his family.

Randolph Knight Obituary

Randolph Knight

The man who “could talk a dog down off of a meat truck”
spoke his last words on October 1, 2024.

Randolph “Randy” Leroy Knight passed away peacefully at his home in Westcliffe, CO, on October 2, 2024. His wife, daughter and two dogs were close by. He was 76 years old. He was born in Cortez, CO on February 23, 1948. He grew up in the Southwest corner of Colorado and attended schools there. Randy graduated from Durango High School in 1966. He attended Fort Lewis College in Durango and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with a minor in history and Spanish. He married Sandy Potthoff on August 2, 1969 in Westcliffe, CO.
Randy worked in the forest industry before joining the Navy construction battalion. He served in Vietnam and Guam. Randy spent most of his life working in the woods, which he loved. He was a true mountain man who enjoyed elk hunting, fishing, hiking and camping. Randy never met a stranger and would do anything for anyone in need.
Randy is survived by his wife, Sandy of Westcliffe; his daughter, Erica (Derek) Kilik and granddaughter, Sidney, all of Colorado Springs. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy and Melba Knight; and brother, Roland Knight.

A celebration of life and reception, followed by lunch will be held on
October 19, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Rancher’s Roost Banquet
Facility at Cliff Lanes in Westcliffe, CO.
In lieu of flowers, please befriend a stranger, enjoy nature or perform a random act of kindness.

Obituary – Mary Jo “Jodi” King

 

Mary Jo “Jodi” King passed away peacefully on Monday, June 10th, at Vali Assisted Living in Westcliffe, Colorado. Mary Jo,
affectionately known as “Jodi,” was born March 4, 1941, in Topeka,
Kansas, to Carl and Laura Rieck. She was the oldest of two girls, Karla being the youngest. Jodi grew up in Burlingame, Kansas, but spent her high school and college years in Lamar, Colorado. She eventually moved back to Kansas, where she met the love of her life, Allen “Al” King. She married Al on June 17, 1966, and immediately became a military wife living all across the United States, even spending two years in Germany. In 1972, along with being a caring and supportive wife, she became a mother to their first child, Kellie, and in 1974, she welcomed their second child, Tracie, and their family was complete. In 1975, Al and Jodi moved back to Topeka, Kansas, to build a life and raise their girls.
In 2001, after 25 years of employment at the Security Benefit Life Insurance, Jodi retired, and she and Al were finally able to move and settle down in Westcliffe, Colorado. She was an active member of Community United Methodist Church for several decades, where she contributed not only her resources but her time. In her retirement, she enjoyed crossword puzzles, solitaire, and spending quality time with friends and family. After her beloved Allen passed in 2017, nothing was more important to Jodi than being the family matriarch, participating in the lives of her daughters and grandchildren. Jodi was a private woman with a wry sense of humor and a no-nonsense personality, but that honesty made her both funny and endearing. The King family legacy of dedication to God, family, and community will live on through her daughters and her grandchildren who were the joy of her life.
Prior to his passing, Jodi was able to celebrate 50 years of marriage to Al. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Allen King, and her younger sister, Karla. She is survived by her two daughters, Kellie and Tracie King, as well as her grandchildren, Sydney Borgen, Seani Millard, Danny Cain, and Jaymes Cain.
The celebration of life service for Mary Jo “Jodi” King will be held at Community United Methodist Church at 202 S 6th Street, Westcliffe on Saturday, August 3rd at 11:30 a.m.

Services Planned for Andrea (Andy) Nichols

,Andrea (Andy) Theresa (Anderson) Nichols was born on February 21, 1958, on a ranch near Gregory, South Dakota, to John Cato Anderson and Alice Lucille (Bailey) Anderson. She was the sixth of seven children. Her parents raised Hereford cattle on a
dry-land cow-calf operation. She was one of the last of her generation to attend a one room schoolhouse through the
eighth grade.
In 1970, her parents sold the ranch and purchased an irrigated farm near Merino, CO, raising corn and hay, continuing the cow-calf operation. She attended the Merino school system, graduating a year early in 1975. She went on to the University of Northern Colorado-Greeley, graduating in 1979.
She worked at various occupations to include a sugar beet factory, building a power plant, and cooking for a hundred-man labor gang on the railroad. While working on the railroad she married and was blessed with a daughter, Charmayne. She divorced soon after and raised her daughter as a single parent.
Andy went on to continue her education, obtaining paralegal credentials, and was employed by the Colorado Department of Corrections. While there she met Gary Nichols. They married in 2006. She worked as a Law Librarian and retired after twenty-five years in 2017. In retirement the couple traveled the U.S. in an RV seeing 27 States in four years.
She enjoyed gardening, cooking, canning, sewing, painting, crafting, hunting, fishing, watching birds, and especially walking her little dog, Jack. She was good at all of these things and enjoyed the company of everyone. Someone once said, “She never knew a stranger”.
She loved her family, and they loved her. She was a wonderful grandma and will be sorely missed.
She is survived by her husband, Gary Nichols of Wetmore, CO;
one daughter, Charmayne(Bryan) Sandoval of Cañon City, CO; one son, Jack(Susan) Nichols of Charleston, SC; two grandsons, Cole and Bryce Sandoval of Cañon City, CO; one sister, Gwyn Laproth of Sioux City, IA; three brothers, John Anderson of Brush, CO; Daniel(Cheryl) Anderson of Fort Collins, CO; Ike Anderson of Thornton, CO, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by both parents and two siblings.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., at the Cañon City Church of Christ, 1718 Franklin Avenue, Cañon City, CO.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to any organization of your choice that fights breast cancer in the name of Andrea Nichols.