John Hollendorfer

One of John’s greatest joys was riding a motorcycle, and he loved to share the experience with others. Dozens of times, he took trips on his motorcycle covering thousands of miles across the American West, the Pacific Northwest, southern states and the East Coast. He kept stacks of folded paper maps to plan his travels and even the day before he died had been making plans for the next trip with his son.

John is survived by his wife of 39 years, Betty Hollendorfer; a son and daughter-in-law, Joel and Kristina Hollendorfer; and two grandchildren, Adrian and Caitlyn Hollendorfer, all of Colorado Springs.

John Jeffery Hollendorfer was born April 21, 1950, in Akron, Ohio, to Fritz and Della Hollendorfer. He was the third of six children. John lived part of his childhood in Japan, where his father was deployed with the U.S. Air Force. The family moved multiple times before settling in Widefield in 1968. He graduated from Widefield High School in 1970 and shortly afterward enlisted in the Navy, where he served as an aircraft hydraulicsman.

In 1973, John moved to Detroit, MI. working at Ford Truck and Car Assembly Plants and later at Kelsey-Hayes Assembly Plant, supplier of car, truck and bus wheels for the big-three automakers. That’s where he met his future wife, Betty Louise (Roberts) Hollendorfer. They were set up on a blind date. They have rarely been apart since. They were married July 17, 1975.

The family moved back to Widefield in 1978. John began working on the counter at Harris Used Parts, an auto salvage business in Colorado Springs. He and Betty bought a share of the business in 1983 and became full partners in 1986. He retired in 2006.

Long after his retirement, John remained connected to many Pikes Peak area residents he had known through the business and his continuing love of motorcycles.

John was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Joel Steven Hollendorfer. Other survivors include siblings Frederick Clifton Hollendorfer and sister-in- law Dona of Wheat Ridge, CO.; Thomas David Hollendorfer of Holiday, FL, Mary Catherine (Hollendorfer) Mandel and brother-in-law Terry of Larkspur, CO.; and Paul Andrew Hollendorfer and partner Perry Swanson of Colorado Springs, CO.

Memorial services will be held at Swan Law Funeral Directors 501 N. Cascade. Colo. Spgs., CO at 11:00 AM Sat. Dec. 6, 2014, reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in John’s name to the National Motorcycle Safety Fund www.nmsfund.org