Louis Lloyd Gotta

Louis Lloyd Gotta, 85, was at home surrounded by family as he passed away on November 15, 2013 into the loving arms of his Lord after brain seizures resulting from his long battle with merkel cell carcinoma. Lou’s indomitable and positive spirit and infectious smile permeated everywhere and everyone he met and it stayed with him until his last days.

Lou, also known as ‘Jumbo’, was born in Bessemer, Michigan (Upper Peninsula), on September 7, 1928 and was delivered by his grandfather in the kitchen of their home. He grew up in Bessemer, attending Washington School and AJ Johnston High School, and was confirmed at Sharon Lutheran Church in Bessemer. At the age of 15, the war years forced the family to move to Melvindale, MI where jobs were more plentiful. Lou attended Melvindale High School and graduated in 1946. He immediately joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Korea for two years.

After his return home in 1948, Lou attended the University of Detroit and began his long career with electronics, computers and tape drives working in Detroit, Germany, San Francisco, New Jersey and finally the Denver area with RCA and Storage Technology Corporation, along with several smaller companies along the way. He participated on the Board of Directors and as President for Trails End Condo Association in Breckenridge, CO for over twelve years and was involved as both Deacon and Elder in previous churches.

Lou was passionate about church and family activities which dominated his days along with special interests of football, tennis, water skiing, snow skiing, traveling, classic cars, music of all styles but truly loved Big Band and Frank Sinatra era music, dancing (even disco) and frequent family dinners with that Italian spin. He loved nature and nothing pleased him more than being outside in all seasons. He was an avid dog lover, of his own and any dog he met along his path. Many of his closest friendships began with his greetings to the dogs of those friends first.

Lou dearly loved his family and is survived by his second wife of over 40 years, Marissa Gotta (Rushton); three children by his first wife, Daniel Louis Gotta (Sandra), Reno, NV; Dianne Louise Yingling (Les), Lakewood, CO; and Doreen Lynn Griffiths (Gary), Beaumont, CA.; nine grandchildren, David Herman, Dan Gotta (Jamie), Matt Gotta (Ashley), Kevin Yingling, Nick Gotta, Keith Yingling, Kenny Yingling, Grant Griffiths, Christina Griffiths and nine great grandchildren, Marcus Herman, Thomas Herman, Katherine Herman, Marco Gotta, Jaceton Gotta, Cameron Gotta, Graham Griffiths, Brycen Gotta and Kellan Gotta.

He is also survived by four step grandchildren, Beau Schlosser (Kim), Aaron Zier, David Yingling (Nicole) and Kim Kreemer (Brian) and twelve step great grandchildren; sister, Gina Kretschmar (Gotta-Spiller), Ironwood, MI; sister-in-law, Georgia Gunzenhauser (John), Denver, CO, niece Velda June Sclafani, nephew Mark Spiller, nephew Benjamin Gunzenhauser, great niece Angelina Murphy (Gary), great-great niece Laura Murphy, great-great nephew Liam Murphy and brothers-in-law Randy Rushton (Sabin Aell), Lance Rushton (Jamie Morgan) and sister-in-law Leslie Moore (Chuck) along with step nephews and nieces Brandon Rushton, Sierra Rushton, Forrest Rushton, Brianne Moore and Soren Rushton.

Lou was preceded in death by his parents, Louis J. Gotta and Stella W. (Strom) Gotta, his first son Robert Louis Gotta, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Viewing/visitation will be at Chapel Hill Mortuary in Centennial, CO on Nov 25 from 3-7pm, with services held at Christ Lutheran Church in Highlands Ranch, Colorado on November 26 at 10:30am. Immediately following the service, an escorted processional to Chapel Hill cemetery will take place for the brief graveside ceremony with military honors. All are invited to a reception and balloon release at Chapel Hill after graveside ceremony is completed. Contributions may be made in honor of Lou to any of his favorite charities - Boys Town (Omaha, NE) Denver Rescue Mission, or Missionaries of Charity-Denver (Mother Teresa).