Obituary of Wayne Parton

Garland “Wayne” Parton was born July 30, 1930 at his parents’ home north of Limon. He was the ninth and youngest child of T.B. Parton and Hazel Elsie Parton. He entered into eternal rest at his home with his wife Jane at his bedside on September 16, 2014. He grew up on the family farm attending one room country schools. In the fall of 1944, he began his freshman year at Limon High School and graduated as class valedictorian in 1948. After graduation he worked for Lloyd Kimble driving the home delivery gas truck. In November of 1951 Uncle Sam came calling, and after basic training at Fort Ord, CA he was sent to Korea. Wayne received the Korean Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, the National Defense Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal. Wayne was proud of the citation he received for meritorious service in Korea from June 6, 1952, to October 15, 1953, as well as his ranking of Sergeant. He felt the military service provided many opportunities and often encouraged his students to consider the military. In September of 1955 Wayne enrolled at Colorado State College of Education in Greeley and graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor’s degree in physical science and mathematics. During his college years he carried mail in Colorado Springs over Christmas vacations. He spent numerous summers delivering gasoline for Lloyd Kimble and Don Morrison and often painted and roofed with Chuck Pierce. His 30 year teaching career began at Limon High School in the fall of 1959. All 30 years were spent in Limon with the exception of one year at Jefferson County Schools. During his teaching career he received several awards including the Hi Plains Educator Award, the Limon High School Outstanding Alumni Award, and the Honorary L Club award. In addition, he received several National Science and Math Awards that allowed him and his family to attend summer institutes at the University of Kansas, the University of Texas in El Paso, Southern Oregon College in Ashland, Oregon, and Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD. These were wonderful experiences that he was able to share with fellow teachers. In July 1960, Wayne married Jane Velut at Wray, CO. Jane was a first year Home Economics teacher. As new teachers, the two were also assigned to be junior class sponsors which involved building a float, decorating for the junior senior prom, and running countless concession stands. To this day, the class of 1961 likes to take credit for making this match. It must have been a great match as the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2010. Two children were born to this union: Kevin Shawn and Kendell Sue. Wayne retired from his full time duties at LHS in 1989. For a few more years he continued to teach a trigonometry class, tutor the occasional student, and drove an evening bus route. In 2013 he was still building floats as his class celebrated their 65th class reunion. Embarking on a few trips, reading, and interacting with his four grand children were activities that he greatly cherished during his retirement. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, three sisters, and one grandson. He is survived by his wife Jane of 54 years; son Shawn (Shelley) Parton of Lee’s Summit, MO; daughter Kendell (Patrick) Kropp of Limon, CO; four grand children, Kathleen (Evan) Marsh; Luke Parton; Toby Kropp; Cale Parton; one sister Lillian Myers of Louisville, CO, brother in law Joe (Rita) Velut of Phoenix, AZ; and numerous nieces and nephews.