Joseph "Lloyd" Matejka

Joseph Lloyd Matejka, always known as Lloyd, 94, passed away on March 6, 2024 at Legend Assisted Living in Broomfield CO with his grandson, David, at his side. Other family members were with him every day in his last couple weeks. He was living with heart and kidney problems that had become increasingly more difficult, and he said he was more than ready to leave this world for the next. Lloyd was born June 3, 1929 in Marysville Kansas, the only child of Joseph M. Matejka and Gladys Wolfe Matejka. He spent the first part of his life on farms in Kansas helping his parents; driving tractors, harvesting corn, milking cows, feeding and cleaning up after chickens, shooting rats at the dump, and building his own private outside shower out of railroad ties.

His family moved to Denver in the early 1940’s and lived on 52nd Avenue for decades, while his dad worked for the railroad and his mom continued the farm life. He attended Westminster High School and there met the love of his life, Judy DeLeo. She was an Italian beauty, so kind and classy, and they fell in love and married in 1949. They lived in several places in northern Colorado, and Lloyd worked on farms, a mink ranch, in different garages, building construction and eventually as a fueler for United Airlines. He and Judy welcomed their first son, Mark, in 1950, then their second son, Matthew, in 1953. They lived on Newton Street in North Denver while raising energetic boys, spending time with family, and exploring the mountains of Colorado with the Mile High Jeep Club, which they helped to found in 1959. Lloyd had 7 different Jeeps over the years and loved to explore the 4 wheel drive roads in the Colorado mountains more than anything. He also did love hunting for deer and elk and almost always filled his license. His hunting camp was one of the finest outdoor experiences a man could imagine and over the years he was joined by his sons, grandsons, friends, and relatives from Missouri for this amazing experience. Fishing, working on vehicles, cutting firewood, and tinkering on everything were other activities that took up Lloyd’s spare time and no one was better at figuring out how to make something work right. After the boys were raised and on their own, Lloyd and Judy lived in Arvada, then back in North Denver, then at Judy’s retirement, moved to their dream home in Cedar Edge CO. They enjoyed that little quiet town for 10 years. In 2009 they moved to Canyon City, back on the eastern slope to be closer to family. They moved to Legend, in Broomfield in 2018 and were some of the original residents. After Judy passed away, Lloyd took a smaller apartment and continued as one of the most memorable residents there. The staff knew and loved him for his determination and independence right up until the last week of his life.

Lloyd is preceded in death by his beloved wife Judy, son Matthew Matejka, and grandson, Billy Matejka. He is survived by sister-in-law Evie Meyers, of O’Fallon, Missouri, sister-in-law, Nina (Francis) DeLeo, son, Mark and his wife Connie (Sheldon) Matejka, and daughter-in-law, Candis (McClelland) Matejka. He will forever be “Pa” and greatly missed by grandsons, Mark Matejka Jr. with Pam Ondrsek, David Matejka with his wife Janelle (Beluscak) Matejka, and Lisa Joy (Matejka) Backes and her husband Tre. He also leaves behind one great grandson, Noah Matejka, and four great granddaughters, Matejka, Mikayla, Makenna, and Makira Backes.

There will be a short viewing reception at Crown Hill Mortuary, The family requests no flowers or plants, just cards if desired. In honor of Lloyd, and in memory of his beloved grandson, Billy, please make any monetary donations to The Children’s Hospital, Colorado.