Obituary of James Trahern

James Chesley Trahern, Jr. of Limon, Colorado, passed away August 30, 2012, in Denver, Colorado. Jim was born on April 24, 1932, to James Chesley Sr. and Elmo Cecil (Droz) Trahern in Sublette, Kansas, and was one of six children. Jim attended and graduated from Flagler High School in 1950. Jim grew up playing sports and certainly enjoyed the life on the family farm. After graduation he worked at the Flagler Cream Station and later became the owner of the business that became a wholesale dairy that delivered milk and ice-cream throughout eastern Colorado. He sold the business in 1963 and was employed by the Flagler Farmer Co-op lumber yard until 1969 when he pursued his real passion, law enforcement. He was the Flagler Town Marshal until 1977 when he left to become the Chief of Police in Limon. He held that position until he retired in 1998. In his 29 years in law enforcement one of the events that stood out most was the tornado that hit Limon in June of 1990. This was definitely his most difficult and demanding experience while serving and protecting as a police officer. He played town team basketball for several years after high school and in his younger years he loved to rodeo. He enjoyed bulldogging with his father-in-law Jack while his wife Kay barrel raced. Two of Jim’s biggest achievements in rodeo were when he placed at the National Western Stock Show in Denver and when he placed first at the Kit Carson County Fair in Burlington. Jim enjoyed doing things with his brothers and sisters, his kids and grandkids, his daughters-in-law, and his added family. His favorites were watching his sons and then grandsons in the many sports in which they participated and coached. Anytime he could get the family together was a very special time to Jim, whether it was a trip to Branson or a game of cards. He loved the family camping trips to the mountains and was an avid fisherman. Jim was also an excellent carpenter; he helped many a family member with building and remodeling projects. When he wasn’t watching the kids’ and grandkids’ sporting events, Jim was a big Denver Broncos and Rockies fan; hardly ever missing a game on TV. Jim was preceded in death by his parents James Sr. and Elmo, wife Donna Kay, and two brothers, Chuck and Bob Trahern. He is survived by his wife, Glennis of Limon; son Jim and his wife Sue and children, Jake and Ty of Kit Carson, CO; son Bob and his wife Sheri and children, Austin and Cooper of Canon City, CO; step-children Cheryl and Steve Rubcic of Las Vegas, Nevada; Fred and Sheila Charles of Salt Lake City, Utah; Dale and Kathy Charles of Buena Vista, CO; and Susan and Rick Charles of Grapevine, Texas; and children Mike, Rick, and Beverly of Burlington, CO. Jim is also survived by brother Bill (June) of Sterling, CO; sisters Patricia (Tom) Jensen of Flagler, CO, and Maryln Elrick of Akron, CO; sisters-in-law Betty of Sterling, CO; lna Lou of Flagler, CO; Patricia (Larry)Sparks of Longmont, CO; Roberta (Walt) Rich of Loveland, CO, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many many friends.