Christopher Peter Jouflas

November 18, 1926 - December 12, 2013

Christopher Peter Jouflas, 87, passed away Thursday, December 12, 2013, at his home in Grand Junction, Colorado surrounded by his loving family after a long battle with cancer.

Chris was born November 18, 1926, to the late Peter and Dorothy Jouflas in Grand Junction. He graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1944, served in U.S. Army Air Corps and attended Mesa Junior College and University of Colorado. On October 25, 1953, he married Connie Simos of Craig, Colorado.

Along with Connie, he is survived by four children, Denise (Carl) Jouflas-Lipp; Peter (Kristy) Jouflas; Georgann (Bill Shanahan) Jouflas of Grand Junction, and Steve (Carrie) Jouflas of Glenwood Springs. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Karlie and Alex Jouflas, Hadley Jouflas, Carl Lipp, Brady and Zoe Shanahan. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, George.

He grew up in the ranching business, spending summers in Basalt and Wolcott and winters in Mesa County. Son of Greek immigrants, he was a man of intense love for his faith, family, friends, Western Colorado and his country. Chris was passionately involved in ranching for over 50 years.

Chris was inducted into the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame in 1992. He served the sheep industry on a local, state and national level as President of the Colorado Woolgrowers, President of the American Sheep Producers Council and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Agriculture Council of America.

He served Colorado as Director of the Colorado River District and was appointed to the Governors Water Round Table and Mined Land Reclamation Board. He acted as agriculture committee chairman of Club 20, served on Oil Shale, U.S. Forest Service, and BLM Advisory Boards.

Chris was a spiritual man and was one of the original founders of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and served as Parish President. The Archbishop of North and South America appointed Chris to the order of St. Andrew Archons. As a Mason, he achieved Blue Lodge Member, 32° Scottish and York Rite and Shrine status.

He touched many lives with his integrity, honesty, generosity, work ethic and wonderful sense of humor. He loved his family and they loved him.

Visitation will take place Tuesday, December 17, from 5-7:00 p.m. at St Nicholas Church, 3585 North 12th followed by a Trisagion service at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral service will be held Wednesday, December 18 at 11:00 a.m. also at St Nicholas Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Nicholas Orthodox Church.

Published in The Daily Sentinel from Dec. 15 to Dec. 16, 2013