Dr. John "Jack" O. Cletcher Jr.

Dr. John O. Cletcher, Jr., 96, long-time resident of Longmont, Colorado passed from this life on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. John, or Jack as he was known to friends, was born in Decatur, Illinois on February 4, 1928 to Dr. John O. Cletcher, Sr. and Jessie I. (Wilson) Cletcher, who preceded him in death. He was raised in Tuscola, IL where he engaged in a variety of pursuits, including Boy Scouts where he ultimately achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. That experience stuck with him into adulthood where his efforts to promote scouting participation culminated with the Longs Peak Council of BSA awarding him the Colonel Dan Straight Longmont Distinguished Citizen Award in 2015. Following graduation from Tuscola High School, Jack left home for Harvard University where he studied pre-med, graduating in 1950. From there he returned to Illinois where he married Polly C. Laun on August 5, 1950; the couple made their home in Urbana-Champaign where Jack attended the University of Illinois, earning a second Bachelor’s degree in 1952 and his doctorate (M.D.) in 1955. Dr. Cletcher then headed west to intern at San Diego County General Hospital. While in California, son John became part of the family the family in 1955. His internship completed in 1956, Jack was called to serve in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps; the family relocated to Seattle, WA where Jack set sail to Japan via Alaska. In 1957 son Scott joined the family, and in 1958 when Jack’s service was concluded the family moved back to Illinois where he opened his first private practice as a general physician in Rochelle. Daughter Amy was welcomed to the family in 1962, just prior to Jack being named Chief of Staff at Rochelle Community Hospital in 1963. The Cletchers moved to Colorado in 1964 where Jack began an orthopedic surgery residency program at Denver General Hospital. Finishing in 1967, Jack practiced in Denver for two more years then did a brief stint in Berkeley, CA before returning to Colorado permanently in 1971. After opening his private practice in Longmont, St. Vrain Valley Orthopedic Assn., Jack and Polly parted ways in 1973. On November 23, 1974, Jack married Jaqueline R. (Hines) Haskett, a widow with two children, Kelli and Scott. After nearly 25 years of marriage, Jack and Jackie divorced but remained friends until the end of his life. Jack later added partner Dr. Gerald Rupp to his practice, and in the early 1990s they joined together with Drs. Knute Cavanaugh and Tom Darrah to open Front Range Orthopedics & Spine (now Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies) where he practiced until his retirement. Jack was also actively involved in his professional affiliations, including the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (Diplomate), American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Western Orthopedic Assn. (Rocky Mtn. Chapter V.P. 1978), Colorado Orthopedic Society (Pres. 1998-1999), and Boulder County Medical Society (Pres., 1980-1981). In 2012, Jack was inducted into the Colorado Orthopedic Society Hall of Fame for his lifetime contributions to the practice of orthopedic medicine. Beyond medicine, Jack was also a Rotarian and a Mason. Jack pursued his interests outside of medicine with enthusiasm. An avid skier, Jack worked as a Level 2 ski-school instructor after retiring from medicine and well into his 70s. He loved the mountains and spent as much time as possible at his home in Frisco, CO. Other hobbies Jack enjoyed included hunting, fishing, camping, golf and travel, and he was particularly proud of one hunting exploit: bagging a whitetail deer that earned him a Boone & Crockett Club Record. Jack’s approach to life is perhaps best summarized by the poet Dylan Thomas. “Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” He certainly sought to wring every ounce of living he could out of the life he was given. Jack is survived by his ex-wife and devoted friend, Jackie (Hines) Haskett Cletcher; three children and two step-children, John L. Cletcher, Scott W. Cletcher, Amy C. Cletcher, Kelli R. Haskett-Rice, and Scott A. (Christi) Haskett; 12 grandchildren, April (Zach) Miller, Amanda (Sean) Sibbitts, Valerye Mellum, Reid Mellum, Kelly (Scott) Piller, Tara (Chris) Evavold, Mackenzie (Andrew) Litzau, Daniel (Aarica) Rice, Caitlin (Ty) Cloud, Meghan (Jake) Clement, Andrew Haskett, and Jenna Haskett; 11 great-grandchildren, Caden, Zane, Gage (Bailey), Faith, Emilee, Cole, Tenlee, Elsa, Riley, Collin, and Emma; and one great-great-grandson, Peter. A Celebration of Jack’s Life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel, 326 S. Terry St., Longmont, CO and the public is welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in Jack’s honor to the charity of your choice.