James Gilbert Gjerde

James “Jim” Gilbert Gjerde, age 78, peacefully entered into the awaiting arms of his loving Savior Tuesday, August 1, 2023. He passed peacefully at Sky Ridge Medical Center, Lone Tree, Colorado with his family at his side.

Jim was born December 5, 1944, to Gilbert and Marguerite (Helgeson) Gjerde in Emmetsburg, Iowa. He grew up in Emmetsburg before attending and graduating from Huron College in Huron, South Dakota. Jim served in the U.S Army, including a tour in Vietnam. He was very proud of his service to his country. In 1971 after he completed his military service, he married his former wife, Jarrett (Streyle). They later had one daughter, Teah.

Jim started his career as a teacher in South Dakota and then Iowa, before settling in Fort Collins, Colorado. He continued his career in Education, including more than 20 years at Rocky Mountain High School, until his retirement. He made an impact on so many during his time as an educator.

Jim had a love of sports that started early on as he excelled in multiple sports throughout his younger years and continued as he eventually moved into coaching and officiating, finding any way to stay involved in all the sports that he loved. He found great joy in officiating Track and Field and did so as long as his health allowed. He was also an avid fan of watching sports, including season tickets to Colorado State Football and Basketball. There was hardly a time in the fall that he wasn’t watching a college football game on TV, no matter what teams were playing. He just loved watching the game.

Jim’s family was a source of great pride and joy to him, in particular, his grandkids, Mason and Sydney. He truly loved the time he spent with them. No matter what they did together, they all had the best time. There was always a bag of candy at Papa’s house waiting for the grandkids. Jim attended nearly all their school and sporting events. Even after his health slowed him down from attending, he wanted to hear all about their activities and what they were learning in school.

While during his last few years his body began to fail him, his spirit and faith never wavered. He continued to fight through any challenge in front of him, and relied on his strong faith that the Lord would guide him through.

Jim’s legacy will live on through a loving family that he left behind. Jim is survived by his daughter Teah (Illyan) Everette of Castle Rock, CO; grandchildren Mason Everette and Sydney Everette, both of Castle Rock, CO; brother Gerald Gjerde (Mary Miller) of Fort Collins, CO.

Jim was proceeded in death and welcomed to Heaven by his father, Gilbert and mother, Marguerite.

A memorial service is planned for Wednesday, August 16th at 10:00am, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 2000 S. Lemay Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80525. A military service and interment will be held on Friday, August 25th at 8:30am, Ft. Logan National Cemetery, 4400 W Kenyon Ave, Denver, Colorado, 80236.