John Nockels

John Philip Nockels was born on May 1, 1920 in Colorado Springs, CO to Edith and Sidney Nockels. He grew up on farms east of Colorado Springs until the Dust Bowl blew the family into Douglas County. Jack, as he was always known, graduated from Lewis Consolidated High School in Monument in 1939 and worked in the aircraft industry in California until he joined the Marines to serve in the Pacific in World War II. He returned to Jarre Canyon to work for the Forest Service, DuPont and the Colorado Highway Department until his retirement. The family moved to Castle Rock in 1985 where Jack continued to raise an immense garden and to enjoy his workshop.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Fleta Wright Nockels, his daughters Edith (Michael Justice) of Englewood, CO, Marjorie (Michael Butterfield) of Castle Rock, CO, and Carolyn (Hugh Woltzen) of Portland, OR; grandsons Hugh, Owen and Clive Justice; sister Jean Kamal of Fort Collins; brother Leonard of Wheatland, WY; and nephew Richard Livingston of Fort Collins. His older sister Marjorie preceded him in death.

Jack will be remembered for his wonderful stories of life on the Colorado plains and in Jarre Canyon, and his sense of humor which stayed with him until the end.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 10, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. in The Sanctuary of Christ’s Episcopal Church, 615 Fourth Street, in Castle Rock, with a reception following in The Gathering Place of the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ’s Episcopal Church.