Lee D. Weldin Jr.

Lee Weldin of Estes Park was born on September 22, 1934 in Long Beach, California. He passed away at TRU Community Care, a hospice facility in Longmont, CO, on September 21, 2024, just one day before his 90th birthday. Lee’s daughters had planned a surprise birthday party for September 21, but sadly he entered hospice care suddenly on September 17. The hospice facility kindly welcomed his family and friends for this birthday celebration. Lee went to meet his Lord when he passed away peacefully during that gathering, surrounded by those who loved him.

Lee always recalled his childhood and early years in Long Beach fondly. He attended military school as a young boy and graduated from Wilson High School. Throughout his life he loved sports, especially baseball, and was a big LA Dodger fan. He also played baseball and softball into early adulthood. Lee had intended to go to dental school and started down that path, but love happened … and he married Caroline Ridgeway on April 30, 1955. In the early years of their marriage, Lee was a traveling TV repairman. He would come to your home to fix your television set. Working in the LA area, he had some “famous” customers, and one was John Wayne’s mother! Later, Lee sold Marlite brand wall paneling products that are used in commercial applications. In time, he started a new business, Walls Ltd. Traveling throughout Colorado, Lee remodeled grocery stores (including the Safeway in Estes Park) and fast food restaurants (such as Winchells Donuts and Pizza Huts) using commercial-grade products produced by Marlite.

Lee and Caroline had five daughters and all were born in Long Beach: Teri, Kathi, Nancy, Vicki and Wendy. The family also lived in Thousand Oaks and San Diego before briefly moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1972, and then to Wheatridge, Colorado in 1973. Estes Park became their permanent home in April, 1983, after they purchased the Riverview Pines Motel that had been heavily damaged in the 1982 Lawn Lake Flood. Lee was a “jack of all trades” and was able to repair the damage to the property with the help of family and friends. There were also two family homes included with the purchase of the motel. Lee’s sister, Jeanette, and her family lived in the second home. Jeanette and her husband, Pat, were co-owners of the property. After several years, Riverview Pines was sold. Lee continued to operate his business, Walls Ltd, after the sale of that property.

Lee also began developing film during their years at Riverview Pines. He established a new business, Estes Photo Express, in 1984 and operated in several different locations in Estes Park for 18 years. The final location was inside the old B & B convenience store on South St. Vrain Ave. The invention of cell phones with cameras soon made film developing obsolete and his Photo Express business was permanently closed in 2002. After that, Lee and Caroline focused on their love of antiques and their growing collection of “old” treasures to sell!

The couple always had an interest in antiques and began collecting items early on in their marriage. This hobby continued throughout their lives. At one time they had an antique store on Cleave Street in Estes Park. They also sold their wares at flea markets in both Fort Collins and Boulder. Additionally, they would travel to weekend antique shows throughout Colorado and in neighboring states to sell their antiques. Of course, they would also come home with new treasures they purchased at these shows. Their collection continued to grow!

Lee loved the outdoors and took his young family on camping trips in both California and Colorado. Living near Rocky Mountain National Park was a great place for him, and he loved spending time in the park. He never did get used to the snow, though, being a California boy! Lee did complain at times about the cold and snow, but his family knew deep down, he loved living in Colorado. In his younger years, Lee went on annual backpacking treks to Thunder Lake with friends employed by Rocky. They were able to stay in the rescue cabin there, and he cherished the memories made on those trips. Lee also played golf, and taught his grandson, Jeffery, how to play. He enjoyed a life-long love of fishing too, and taught his daughters and grandkids how to fish. Many happy memories were born while fishing with him! Lee continued to enjoy fishing into the last year of his life.

Another love of Lee’s was painting and it brought him much joy. He would give his paintings away to anyone who wanted one! Lee frequently painted natural mountain landscapes, old cabins, barns, and other buildings, flowers, structures along his beloved Route 66, special occasion paintings for family, and paintings of Disney and other childhood characters for the great grandkids. Shortly before he passed, his hands just did not work the same as they had. It then became impossible for him to paint, which deeply saddened him.

For several years in his early 80s, he volunteered at the Estes Park Visitor Center. It was a good fit for him, with his love of Estes and amicable personality. Lee enjoyed that work immensely, until his hearing loss made it too difficult for him - and for those he was trying to help! He was quite sad to leave that volunteer position behind.

Lee loved to talk to anyone and everyone. He was an affable soul who made friends easily. He also delighted in telling jokes - including some inappropriate ones that at times made his family “roll their eyes”! Lee had a good sense of humor and found pleasure in making people laugh. He also liked telling stories about his past that the grandkids especially enjoyed hearing.

Prior to going into Hospice, Lee lived at Cinnamon Park Assisted Living in Longmont, CO, after it became too difficult for him to live alone in his home in Estes Park. He enjoyed living at Cinnamon Park and loved the staff who work there. Our family appreciates the excellent care given to him before he passed.

In preparation for his 90th birthday party, Lee’s daughter Vicki asked family and friends to tell what they love about him, so those special thoughts could be compiled and presented to him as a gift. Unfortunately, he passed before they were fully shared with him. Common themes included: his kindness and generosity: he’d “give the shirt off his back”; his sense of humor, jokes, and his laugh; his love of music; his ability to fix anything (but not without some swearing!); his love of telling stories from the past; his love of family; his strong work ethic; his loyalty to friends … And to quote a thought from two of his dear friends who knew him for many years: “As much as you try to pretend you are a grumpy old man, you are really a soft hearted and kind soul.” Yes, this is so true! These characteristics and more we will always remember and love about Lee. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

Lee is survived by four daughters: Teri Salerno (Anthony) of Estes Park, Nancy Kuhlman (Keith) of Oshkosh, Nebraska, Vicki Weibel (Curtis) of Pinewood Springs, Wendy Ickes (Ed) of Ault; six grandchildren: Jamie Giles of Billings Montana, Lauren Gundy of Berthoud, Nicholas McDougall of Fort Collins, Faith Weibel Won of Parker, Jeremiah Allen of Loveland, and Anna Weibel of Thornton; five great grandchildren: Jacob Stewart, Joey Stewart, J.J. Stewart, Elissa Giles, and Carter Gundy; one great, great grandchild: Ariyah Sanchez; four siblings: Jeanette Aguilar, Virginia Askew, Robert Bonar and Judi Darnold, and many nieces and nephews! Lee was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Caroline, his daughter, Kathi, and his grandson, Jeffery Giles.

Lee’s Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 19 at 10:00 a.m. at the Christian Church of Estes Park, 4655 US Highway 36. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Lee’s name to the EP Pet Association or to the animal shelter of your choice.