Born in Chadron, Nebraska to Emma Summers Towle and Edmund Reinke Towle on August 26, 1925 John grew up in Superior, Nebraska and upon graduation from high school enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He served as a flight engineer on B-17's during World War II until being honorably discharged in 1946. John met his wife Denyce in Norfolk, Nebraska and they married in 1946. After attending Norfolk Jr. College, John moved to Boulder with his young family in 1948 in order to attend and work at the University of Colorado. He continued his employment at the University with the CU Police Department, being appointed Chief in 1970, and he enjoyed his affiliation with numerous law enforcement professional organizations until his retirement. John was honored to receive the University of Colorado Medal in 1991. Although he was born and raised in Nebraska, he was a stalwart CU fan since moving to Colorado, and this dedication to the Buffaloes was recognized by the Athletic Department in 2004 when they presented John with an honorary "C" award.
The memories of time spent vacationing, camping, fishing, and holiday celebrations with his family brought John much joy during his later years. He felt blessed to have been able to watch his grandchildren grow to become fine, outstanding, and loving adults. John's family will cherish him in their hearts forever.
John was deeply touched by the support shown to him and to his family during his extended illness by friends from his church, the Golden Bears from his neighborhood, and co-workers from CU who continued to visit and include him with invitations to special events.
Preceding him in death were his parents, his mother in-law Nora Marshall, his father in-law Frank Marshall, an infant son Jon Marshall Towle, and his son in-law Thomas Alan Barrow.
Surviving John are his wife Denyce, daughters Debbie Barrow and Darcy Gallagher (Tim), grandchildren Christine Ciccatelli (Chris), Jon Barrow (Andrea), J. Travis Collins (Julie), and Zachary Collins (Heather), his great-grandchildren Campbell Collins, Adia Barrow, Madison Collins, Hudson Barrow, Ione Collins, Bradley Barrow, Gionne Ciccatelli, Ginger Barrow, and Grey Collins. Also surviving are his sisters and brothers in-law Darlo and Robert Reese, Sally and Larry Marshall, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Immediate family, and military honor guard will attend inurnment at Mountain View Cemetery in Boulder. A memorial service will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, 5/11/2013 at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Boulder.
The compassion shown John and his family during his illness by his care providers from Bright Star, Complete Home, Dignity Care, Summer Cares, Tru Community Care Hospice, and Kaiser is greatly appreciated. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in John's name be made to Eagle Mount of Bozeman, the Longmont Humane Society, a hospice of your choice, or the LWML of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, where John had been a charter member and had served in many capacities.
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