Walter Henry Poncelow

Walter H.(Junior) Poncelow

Walt Poncelow passed quietly while surrounded by his family on August 9, 2010. Walt was born on December 1, 1918 in California to Walter Ray Poncelow and Ruby Lavender. At age 5, Walt traveled to Colorado on the train with his father and they settled in the Penrose area. Walt was raised by his father and stepmother Iva Shipman Poncelow and spent his childhood in Penrose, Florence and Canon City, with many summers working at the Rocky Crags Resort on the Keaton Ranch up the Little Fountain Creek. These were tough years as the dust bowl worsened and the great depression continued, and Walt worked ranches and farms from Canon City to South Park, and at age 15, even traveled to Texas alone to work the wheat harvest, making his way home as a hobo on the railroad. Walt graduated from Penrose High School in 1936.

Walt met his life long love in 1941 in Colorado Springs, and on July 2, 1943 married Louise Crum. Walt tried to enlist 3 times to serve in World War II, only to be denied due to his eyesight. He still found a way to serve by hiring on as a roofer while Fort Carson was expanding during the war and also worked on the construction of Camp Hale. Walt worked for Dern-Brady Paper Company as a truck driver and eventually became the Warehouse Operations Manager, a position he continued after the company was bought by Dixon Paper. Walt and Louise made their home on Iowa Street on Knob Hill in Colorado Springs where Walt served as a volunteer with the Knob Hill Fire Department. In 1956, the family moved to Security where they lived until his retirement. Walt served as a Deacon, Elder and Trustee at Security Christian Church and later at Valley Christian Church in Fountain. Walt instilled a deep faith in all his children through his daily examples of caring for others and loving God. Walt retired from Dixon after 30 years and the family moved to Como, Colorado where he and Louise became the first year-round managers and caretakers for the Colorado Christian Service Camp. During their seven years there they worked to make the camp a year-round facility and were instrumental in upgrades to the water, sewer and electrical systems as well as the construction of the Bob Lilly building and several cabins and expansion of the property.

Walt and Louise had four boys, and Walt’s spare time was spent teaching them to hunt, fish, work on cars and how to be loving husbands and fathers. After his second retirement, Walt and Louise moved to the Big Sandy Ranch just north of Calhan where they have lived for the last 30 years. Walt worked again during this retirement, feeding the cattle each morning and evening, helping with harvest and branding and doing whatever else was needed. The remainder of his time was spent in his shop building wooden toys and heirloom furniture for his many grandchildren. He was always ready for a trip down the creek in “Cricket”, letting the smallest grandchild ride on his lap and “drive” the jeep slowly across the field.

Walt is survived by Louise, his wife of 67 years, and his four boys and their families, Don (Elaine), Chuck (Marcy), Ken (Karen) and Bob (Stacy), his 14 Grandchildren, David (Carolyn), Michael (Laura), Mathew (Heather), Jeff (Ralene), Jenny, Jonathon, Bekah (Eric), Cassie and Nick. Walt especially adored his 4 Great Grandchildren Michael, Jordyn, Sarah and Sam.

A memorial service will be held at Valley Christian Church (14555 Link Road, Fountain, CO 80817) on Saturday, August 14, 2010 at 1:00 PM. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the church or a charity of choice.