Obituary of John Atwater

View Video Tribute John Dane Atwater was born on February 26, 1945 in Denver, Colorado to proud parents Dane and Rose Atwater. His childhood years were spent primarily in the Simla/Rush area. A majority of his summer vacations, and many of his most precious childhood memories, include time spent with his grandpa and grandma Atwater in Bennett, Colorado. John said his Grandpa Atwater had a huge influence on his life and he always loved going fishing with his Grandma Atwater. John’s last two years of high school were completed at Miami-Yoder High School and during this time he stayed in the home of Richard and Emma Forbes. The Forbes’ family also had a special place in John’s heart and he held them in very high regard. John graduated from Miami-Yoder in 1963. Right out of high school, in December of 1963, John enlisted in the United States Navy. He held the title of “Corpsmanâ€? and “Hospitalmanâ€? and served on the U.S.S. Nerius, a submarine supply ship, and the U.S.S. Pointe Defiance. John spent 18 months in and out of Vietnam and received an honorary Discharge from the United States Navy in December of 1967. After returning to the United States, John focused on the very special relationship he had with Nancy Hasenbalg. With a wonderful courtship that included lots of expensive chocolates in his Mustang, they were united in marriage on February 29, 1968. After a brief stay in an apartment complex, they settled into their first home together on the Circle 2 Arabian Horse Ranch in Parker. Here, John assisted in haying, breeding, foaling, and all other aspects of a busy horse ranch. The opportunity arose for John and Nancy to move to the Eastern Plains when John accepted a supervisory position on the Pauls Ranch, 17 miles south of Limon. This was their home when both of their sons were born- Jerry in December, 1970, and Jim in January, 1973. It was during this time on the Pauls Ranch that John had a horse named Joker. Their relationship was a unique one as John was able to persuade Joker to load directly into the back of his pickup-without any panels or enclosures of any type along the sides. Without the luxury of a trailer, a guy does what he can to make do! Because this was such an unusual sight, photos of Joker in the back of John’s pickup were printed in several publications. John was the epitome of country living, right down to the Bulls that were the hood ornaments on all his pickups. In 1977, John and Nancy purchased their current home place on uncharted land. Over the years they built their home, the barn, garage, chicken house, corrals, fences, holding pond, and irrigation system. John loved the self-directed, free lifestyle that country living offered. It is here where he could truly enjoy both his family and his cattle. His favorite time of the year was when it was time to sell calves. He said it was “a synopsis of the whole year and told whether you done right or wrong.â€? When John was asked about other highlights of his life, he quickly turned to the Elbert County Road and Bridge department of Simla. He had worked for Elbert County for 28 years and developed many great friendships with his co-workers. John was instrumental in starting the Blade Rodeo- a big equipment operation rodeo held on the last Saturday of the Elbert County Fair in Kiowa. He spoke of the folks at the COOP in Calhan and the memories of the 8 years he spent as a member of their Board of Directors; he talked about the Republican Party and his term as Precinct Committeeman for Elbert County. John loved the old time country music with artists like Buck Owens, Kitty Wells, Little Jimmy Dickens, and Johnny Cash, and he had an extensive history of country music with over 4000 songs cataloged. And John was #45- a Demolition Derby legend, according to his grandkids. He enjoyed the annual week long, pre-derby event when all his kids and grandkids were at his house preparing the car for the big derby. Lots of evenings were spent in chairs on the lawn enjoying conversation with a good old Daquiri or Margarita that he made specially each year. John also loved to travel and over the years took Nancy to Branson, Missouri many times to celebrate their anniversary. They took short trips to Glenwood Springs and enjoyed the annual Pikes Peak Hill Climb. Most recently they took in the sites in Las Vegas, Nevada. When remembering John, we’ll remember his great sense of humor. He got a big kick out of telling a good joke. He was also very passionate about the things he believed in. And he was a strong man in both mind and spirit, which was very evident in the last days of his life. John is survived by his wife Nancy, of the home north of Punkin Center, CO; children, Jerry (Larra) Atwater of north of Punkin Center, CO and Jim (Diane) Atwater of Mesa, AZ; mother, Rose Pickenpaugh of Rush, CO; step-mother, Nadine Atwater of Bennett, CO; sister, Donna Grisham of Kutch, CO; half-brother, Chester Atwater of Bennett, CO; step-brother, Dan Pickenpaugh (Betty) of Elizabeth, CO; aunt, Shirley Atwater of Bennett, CO; grandsons, Hunter and Hayden; and granddaughters, Lacee, Shania and Jerra. John was preceded in death by his father, Dane Atwater; stepfather, Jim Pickenpaugh; and uncles, Marvin Atwater of Bennett, CO and Adrian Atwater of Las Vegas, NV. Services for John will be held on Wednesday, October 31 at 10:30 AM at the Simla High School Gymnasium with interment to follow in the Simla Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Limon Heritage Society PO Box 341 Limon, CO 80828, the American Cancer Association 1445 N Union Blvd Suite B-100 Colorado Springs, CO 80909, or Pikes Peak Hospice 825 Pikes Peak Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80903-3624.