Obituary of Loren Whittemore

Loren Richard Whittemore beloved husband and father passed away unexpectedly August 17, 2014. He was born April 24, 1935 in Colorado Springs. He leaves his loving wife of fifty years, Judy Cowger Whittemore; children, Charlotte Whittemore Butcher and husband Kevin of Cabot, AR, and their daughters, Dara and Lora; Cynthia Whittemore Yoder and husband Wade of Yoder, CO, and their children, Josie and Josh; Celeste Whittemore of Rush, CO and her son, Whitt. Loren graduated from Edison School in Yoder, CO and went on to take classes at University of Colorado. He served two years in the US Army infantry. A history buff and lover of the western way of life, he was a journalist and began his writing career by freelancing for the Western Horseman magazine. For over 20 years, he edited and published the Rocky Mountain Quarter Horse Magazine. He also edited and published for five years the Cattle Guard for the Colorado Cattlemen's Association. He later co-authored an update of "The Pikes Peak Range Riders Book" and helped compile their cookbook. He authored and published "An Illustrated History of Ranching in the Pikes Peak Region" and in 2009 the book "The Duke of the Chutes, Harry Vold's Sixty Years in Rodeo." Raised in eastern Colorado, Loren was involved in the cattle business all his life. A longstanding member and past president of the Pikes Peak Cattlemen's association, he also served on the BLM Regional Advisory Council, and the El Paso County and Colorado State Fair Boards. He enjoyed working the El Paso County 4-H Youth sale. He was active in El Paso Soil Conservation Society, Farm Bureau and a member of the Pikes Peak Range Riders since 1991. A longtime member of the El Paso County Republicans, Loren served as an El Paso County Commissioner for twelve years. While in office he also served a term as president of Colorado Counties. Upon leaving the Commissioner Office, he worked first as a staffer and then as Chief of Staff for former Colorado Congressman Joel Hefley. After leaving public office, he stayed active serving the county in a variety of committees, such as the Highway Advisory Commission, and on the Citizen's Budget Oversight Committee. Loren loved to be on the go and never met a stranger. If there was a meeting to go to, he went. He enjoyed the weekly Tuesday doughnuts and Saturday breakfast group at Rush Cafe, the old Timers luncheon in Colorado Springs, going to the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, Chuckwagon cook offs, annual Ranch Rodeo finals in Amarillo, TX, and other similar type events. Loren was a faithful member of Kendrick Bible Church and served as an Elder there for many years. He was passionate about his family and cherished time with his wife, girls, their husbands and grandkids. His wisdom, laughter, great sense of humor and enthusiasm for life will be sadly missed.