John Russell Etscheid

John Russell Etscheid, 82, of Parker, Colorado, passed away on March 20, 2026, after a courageous journey with Parkinson’s Disease. Born in Fort Worth, Texas, John was a quiet man with an adventurous soul — a loving husband, father, and grandfather whose wisdom, wit, and zest for adventure left a lasting mark on all who knew him.

John grew up in Indianapolis,Indiana, where he graduated from Ben Davis High School in 1961 and continued his education at Purdue University obtaining an Associates Degree in Computer Technology in 1969. He met Nancy (Shedd) at the local drag races (rumor has it Nancy was racing too!). Their connection grew and they got married on December 21, 1963.

While living in Indianapolis, John developed a passion for cars and was an avid fan of Indy Car racing. He and Nancy attended a few Indy Car races and always watched the Indy 500 on Memorial Day weekend. One of their prized possessions in life was a cherry red 1973 Stingray Corvette that John lovingly cared for. John and Nancy made many memories and friends participating in the Looking Glass Corvette Association and driving in the annual Vettes on the Rockies event and several other road rallies.

John and Nancy had two daughters. Amy was born in Speedway, Indiana on September 6, 1964, and Brenda was born in Binghamton, New York on December 4, 1969.

In 1970, John, Nancy and the girls made a move to Colorado. John thrived in the Colorado lifestyle, channeling his quiet energy into a life full of adrenaline-filled activities and adventure. He got very involved in motocross racing and cross country motocross enduros. He found a passion for downhill skiing and pushed himself by competing in NASTAR races and challenged himself with telemarking technique. He rode miles on his road bike and participated in many fund-raising bicycle events (including the Davis Phinney Pedaling for Parkinson’s event). He explored the landscape of Colorado by hiking miles of trails over the years.

John had a love for music and used to blast his large collection of albums from his beloved turntable. He played it so loud you could hear it as you pulled into the driveway. His love of music and his broad music taste was shaped in no small part by the eclectic sounds of KBCO, his favorite radio station.

John worked as a computer programmer for several organizations including IBM, the North American Limousine Foundation, and TIAA-CREF. He was a dedicated employee, but John was equally intentional about protecting his time outside of work — a balance he maintained faithfully so he could pursue his passions and, most importantly, be present for his family.

Though a man of few words, John had a gift for making them count. When he spoke, it was to offer his daughters a piece of hard-earned life advice, share something he had learned from a book or documentary, or land one of his trademark witty remarks — affectionately known in the family as “Dadisms” or “Johnisms.” Those sayings will remain in use and bring John to mind every time they are repeated.

John is survived by his wife, Nancy; his daughter Amy (Etscheid) Leggett and her daughters Madison and Taylor; and his daughter Brenda (Etscheid) Mowle, her husband Bill, and their children Ashley and John; and his brother, Kenneth Etscheid. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Norma Etscheid, and his sister, Margaret (Etscheid) LaDuca.

A Celebration of John’s Life will be held on May 2, 2026, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at Olinger Chapel HIll, located at 6601 S Colorado Blvd, Centennial, CO 80121

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you strap on a helmet, hit a trail, or turn up KBCO — and live a little like John did. If you wish to make a donation in his memory, please consider one of the following organizations;

Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson's

Parkison's Association of the Rockies

Bloom Hospice ◦