Obituary of James "Jim" Havens

Longtime Stratton resident, James (Jim) Jerden Havens, 93, died Monday, December 21st, 2015 at Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colorado. Jim was born June 26th, 1922. He was one of five children born to Elmer and Alice (Dillon) Havens in Kirk, Colorado. He attended country school through the 10th grade at which time he left school to help on the family farm during difficult times. Jim entered the Army on June 30th, 1945 and served until November 27th, 1946. Jim was a member of the Stratton American Legion for 69 years. On September 8th, 1962 Jim was married to the love of his life, Mary. Jim helped raise two step children, Patricia D. and Edward L. Parker III. To this union, one daughter, Penni Lynn was born. Jim was a long time heavy equipment operator at the Kit Carson County Road and Bridge. After his retirement from the county, Jim found it hard to sit still and be a homebody, so he took at job at the Stratton Landfill. He enjoyed driving activity trips for Stratton Schools, where fond memories and bonds were created with the young men he was able to watch grow. Jim lived a very social life and loved people. He loved playing cards with friends, dancing, card parties and visiting with friends and family. For most of his life, Jim could also be found around the round table at the local coffee shop in the mornings. Penni remembers having milk and coffee, while the grandchildren have fond memories of enjoying hot chocolate with Grandpa. One of his passions was breeding and raising registered quarter horses, which he enjoyed well into his 80’s. He thoroughly enjoyed sharing that passion with his children and grandchildren, even naming a colt after each grandchild. He loved his family dearly. Whether he took an opportunity to sit down and visit over a cup of coffee, or teach someone how to play cribbage, Jim loved life and everyone in it. Jim was very involved in his grandchildren’s lives. Whether it was a ball game, dance recital, band concert, or any other activity, you could be assured Jim would be in attendance. In Jim’s later years, he looked forward to getting together with friends several times a week and playing cribbage, which kept his mind sharp. Jim is preceded in death by his wife Mary, parents, in laws Buck and Evelyn Wright, brother Don and wife Lee, brother Ralph and wife Pat, sister Virginia and husband Lloyd, brother in law George Ausmus, and great grandson Tanner Seelhoff. Jim is survived by daughter Penni Fox and husband Don of Stratton, Patty Peterson of Florida, and Ed Parker of Fort Morgan. Grandchildren, Jesse Seelhoff and wife Nicole of Fleming, CO, Luke Seelhoff of St. George, Utah, Katie Seelhoff of Evergreen, CO , Ryan Fox of Oklahoma, Sara Sloan and husband Justin of Colby, KS, and Morgan Fox and fiance Steve Kappenman of Hutchinson, KS, Great grandchildren Tyler and Kenzie Seelhoff, Lily Gooch, Emerson Sloan and Lucas Kappenman. Jim is also survived by his brother Les and wife Tene of Montrose, CO, sister in law JoEllen Ausmus of Lamar, and numerous nieces, and nephews.