James "Jim" Dangler

Jim’s earthly journey began in Rochester, New York on May 28th, 1957. He was one of five sons born to Mary Louise (Felder) and Richard Irving Dangler. Much of his youth was spent in Rochester where he and his brothers began the process of graying their mother’s hair. Raising five boys is adventurous, to say the very least, and not for the faint of heart. Their Mother was truly a saint among women and God called her way too early. The Dangler boys were a close bunch and remained forever so.

The Dangler family moved to Loveland, Colorado in 1970 when Jim was 12 years old. As a teenager, he was hell on wheels! He spent a lot of time outdoors exploring the mountain behind their house with his BB Gun, camping, and generally raising hell. Jim was not built to remain indoors, confined to a desk, or to follow rules. He left school in the 10th grade to join the workforce and thus began a lifelong career in construction.

On Halloween night 1975, Jim noticed a lovely young lady looking his way at a party. His hair was long, and his eyes were beautiful. He was, in a word, gorgeous. The attraction was mutual and on that night, Jim would share the first of many kisses with the only woman he would ever love. Thereafter bloomed a beautiful romance and after a year of constant courtship, Jim married Viola Linda Herrera on October 29th, 1976. Many years later, Vi would learn that after just two weeks of dating, Jim knew she was the one for him. Having shared in five years of blissful marriage, many adventures, and much practice, Jim and Vi welcomed a son, Jeremy. Three years after they were blessed with a daughter, Teresa. Jim always wanted a baby girl.

He was a good father who loved his children dearly. He was a fun dad who was also stern. Jim was the authoritarian parent. He was always looking out for his children, and for their safety and well-being. His children loved their dad and never wanted to disappoint him. Teresa loved “dad time” which often looked like just tagging along to the hardware store. Jeremy cherished the times he worked with his dad on projects. As a husband and a father, Jim was loveable but gruff. He was a provider and a protector, and he always put his family first.

Jim loved the mountains and camping. He enjoyed fishing, but did not have the same patience as Vi. If there was ever a fishing competition between the two, Vi won the majority. Jim may have been gruff at times but he was also a goofball with a great sense of humor, never taking life too seriously. He snapped many a ridiculous selfie just for fun both on his phone and on the phones of unsuspecting family and friends. He was a private man who wasn’t terribly outgoing and instead kept a select small group of good friends. He was a good and honest man who never shied away from hard work. He was creative and handy and would never hire anyone to do work he could do himself. Together with his son he replumbed his entire home and built a beautiful oasis in his backyard, complete with a built from scratch pergola and waterfall. Jim was so proud of that backyard. He also worked in his garage and was in the process of restoring his beloved 1957 Chevy Pick Up. His family will complete the restoration in his honor. If there was anything he loved more than that truck, it was his Harley Davidson motorcycle. Jim loved that bike! He and Vi took many a trip on the Harley, including Arizona, New Mexico, and Montana. The rides may have been hard on the rear, but the views were so easy on the eyes. Jim felt so free on his dream bike and riding was truly the wind in his sails.

Above all else, Jim loved his family. He was a devoted husband and father, beloved son and brother, and true to all who called him a friend. He will be dearly missed by all who were lucky enough to know him.

Jim leaves behind his beautiful wife of 48 years, Viola Dangler, his son, Jeremy Dangler, and his daughter, Teresa Hall (Matt). He is also survived by his brothers, Randy (Marilyn), Tom (Marge), Richard (Sorcha), and Paul Dangler (Julie), and Don Weitzel (Lynn); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and dear friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Mary Louise (Felder) Dangler, Richard Irving Dangler, and Leata (Johnson) Dangler.

A Celebration of Jim's Life will be held on Friday, March 7th, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Resthaven Funeral Home in Fort Collins, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, please honor Jim by making a donation in his memory to your favorite charity. Treasured memories of Jim and words of condolence for his family are welcome at resthavencolorado.com.