John Hartley Fuller

John lived a long and happy life, but it wasn’t easy. Born during the Great Depression, his childhood years were full of change and uncertainty. The family lost its farm, moved many times, and didn’t have much money. But through it all, “Johnny” kept a positive attitude – a trait that continued throughout his life.

Born May 2, 1934, in Del Norte, Colo., to Stanley and Dorothy Fuller, John had a brother, Kenneth, who was 11 years older and a sister, Marynell, who was 10 years younger. They remained a close family throughout their lives.

John had good memories of his early school years. He was active in Boy Scouts, enjoyed going to the latest cowboy movie at the local theater with friends (if he could scrounge up the nickel it cost), and working in the “filling station” with his dad. He had some good mentors and teachers in high school, who encouraged him to go to college, but he was unsure. He considered staying at home, working at the filling station, and buying a car, something he always wanted. But a conversation with his father, who had an 8th grade education, changed that. His father told him, “the car will only last for a short time, but an education will last forever.” And so John began his higher education journey – one that would change not only his life, but thousands of others.

He attended Colorado School of Mines, but the academics were tough. He transferred to Adams State College in Alamosa, Colo., for a year and he did well, but left after receiving an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in Maryland. John was excited. He dreamed of being a naval pilot. But his dream was quickly derailed because of medical issues. He returned home after a year feeling as though he let people down. But he persevered with that positive attitude.

He returned to Adams State and paid for college by selling newspaper advertising. He enjoyed it and considered doing that as a career, but ultimately decided that teaching would be more stable. He graduated in 1957 from Adams State and later received his Master’s Degree from the University of Northern Colorado. His first job was teaching high school math and science in Hagerman, Idaho -- and he loved it. He taught, coached, and even drove a school bus. He returned to Colorado to teach at Fowler High School, where he met a nursing student named Janet Buck.

They soon started dating. John knew that Jan was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. They were married in June 19, 1960, in Fowler. John says it was the “happiest day of my life.” They soon started their family. Jim was born in 1961 in Idaho, followed by John in 1964 and Jeanne in 1967, both born in Denver. John switched from teaching to counseling and took a position at newly opened Cherry Creek High School in suburban Denver in 1964. He worked there until retirement in 1994. He enjoyed getting to know the students working with them on their future plans.

He was also a dad who enjoyed spending time with his kids. He helped them with schoolwork and played ball in the back yard with them after work. Jan and John attended hundreds of the kids’ ballgames, track meets, and band/choir performances from grade school through high school (and even in college). Those events were very special to John and he always made sure the kids knew he was proud of them.

He took a sabbatical leave in the late 1970s to visit colleges across the country and was away from home for long stretches. It was hard on the family, but he recorded his journey on mini-cassette tapes and sent them home each week, which the kids enjoyed. He visited hundreds of colleges – big and small – that year. When he returned to Cherry Creek, he started The Post Graduate Planning Center, where students could learn about colleges and get help in applying. The Center was the only one of its kind in the U.S. and became a model for other high schools.

He also took special pride in helping Jim, John, and Jeanne select the college that was right for them. He was very proud that each of them graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

But John didn’t stop there. He and Jan saved their money and invested carefully their entire lives, so they could set up college funds for not only their kids, but for each of eight grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. John also set up college scholarships for high schoolers from their neighborhood. He established scholarships for students from his hometown of Del Norte and the surrounding area to attend his alma mater, Adams State College. And he started scholarships for employees and their kids who worked at Someren Glen Senior Living Community, where he and Jan lived in their later years. It was a lot of work coordinating it all, but John loved it.

In retirement, he began working as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer, where he advocated for kids in the foster care system. He and Jan also finished their travels to all 50 states, enjoyed spending time at their mountain cabin, and attended many local sporting events. His lifelong love for woodworking continued. Over the years, John built several pieces of furniture for their home, the cabin, and for their children.

He also enjoyed serving on professional associations related to education, including serving on the National Association for College Admissions Counseling, The College Board, American College Testing (ACT), among many others. He was especially proud of his work with the Keeping Your Options Open (KOO) program, where he presented information about the college admissions and financial aid to other high school counselors across the state. He also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Denver. His list of awards in higher education is long and varied.

John believed in a positive attitude and in the importance of education. Those attributes served him well and changed thousands of lives along the way.

A memorial service for John will be held Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary & Cemetery, 6601 South Colorado Blvd, Centennial, CO 80121, followed by a reception from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following charities: American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Environmental Defense Fund.