Theo Luckey Ditton

Theo Luckey Ditton passed away in his home in Colorado Springs on March 5, 2015. He was born August 7, 1948 to George and Ella Mae Ditton and raised on a cattle ranch in Boulder, Wyoming, the eldest of two children. He was very close to grandparents Don and Meta Sparks, and Maggie and Paul Ditton.

Luckey was married to Dorothy Knudson in 1968. They have one daughter, Andreanna. Luckey graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1970 with a degree in education, and moved to Colorado Springs to teach science at North Junior High. He transferred to Palmer High School in 1984 where he taught Physics and Chemistry in the International Baccalaureate program. He received a master’s degree in education from Colorado College, and attended summer seminars there, where he met his wife, Janice Sadowsky in 1989. They were married in 1990, and Luckey became stepfather to Jan’s two daughters, Kara and Heather.

Luckey loved politics, cooking and wood-working, but teaching was his true passion. His students often returned to visit him, citing the strong influence he had on their lives.

An avid musician, Luckey played in bands in high school and college, and later, in a band with fellow teachers at Palmer, The Blues Doctors. The friendships he made in these bands were deeply important to him.

Luckey suffered a stroke in 2002, following his retirement from teaching that spring, but continued to enjoy his home, family, and dog, Derby. He is survived by his wife Jan, father George, sister Dawn (Eric Easton), daughter Andreanna Ditton (Michael D’Alonzo), stepdaughters Kara (Jeff Wichman) and Heather (Jared Tobiasen), and grandchildren Kendall and Grant Wichman and Dane Tobiasen.

Services for Luckey will be held at Ascension Lutheran Church, Thursday March 12, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Stroke Association.