Dennis Edward Ficklin

Services will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Grand Junction Church of Latter-day Saints West Stake Center, 2542 G Road.

He was the chief executive officer of a hospital.

Survivors include his wife, Camile; two sons, Travis of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Jeremy of Grand Junction; two daughters, Erica Ficklin-Anderson and Monica Ficklin-Hudson, both of Grand Junction; one brother, Jim Ficklin of Nampa, Idaho; and nine grandchildren.

Memorial contributions to the Colorado Canyons Hospital, 300 W. Ottley Ave., Fruita 81521.

Dennis Ficklin

November 4, 1944 - July 9, 2016

Dennis Edward Ficklin passed away peacefully at his home on July 9, 2016. He was 71 years old. Professionally, he was well known as the former CEO of Family Health West. Unprofessionally, he was a founding member of the Friday Afternoon Golf Club, a woodworker and model maker of exceptional detail, a 33rd degree Master Disneyist, and purveyor of silly paper hats for any occasion. Dennis lived much of his adult life with a fairly serious Christmas light problem. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Dennis was born November 4, 1944, in Grand Junction, Colorado to Lourie Oliver Ficklin and Eudona Gilbert Ficklin. His family was a railroad family and his early years were spent in Grand Junction, Minturn, and Denver - eventually settling in Alamosa, Colorado where he attended school up through his sophomore year. He played basketball and baseball, and was in the band. He was a popular student and held several school offices there. He later graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1963.

He attended Brigham Young University until leaving on an LDS mission for two years to the Central Germany Mission. Upon returning, he entered the University of Colorado, Boulder, studying architecture.

In 1969, Dennis married the love of his life, Vicee Camille Aubert, and began 47 years of nearly inseparable time together with her. He graduated from BYU in 1972 in accounting and went to work for General Mills, living in California, Minnesota, and Germany, before returning to Grand Junction in 1981, where he opened a wallpaper store.

Dennis found his true calling with the Lower Valley Hospital Association, which later became Family Health West, in Fruita, Colorado. There, Dennis worked as the office accountant, controller, nursing home administrator, and finally CEO. He enjoyed spending time with the long-term care residents, playing his accordion for them often. He felt his greatest contribution was the construction of a new hospital in 2009, helping the community maintain a high level of health care in a rural setting.

Dennis retired in 2012. He enjoyed traveling with Camille, spending time with his four children and their families, and mowing the lawn with his dog, Minnie. He loved to go to Disneyland, and knew all the fun places to go and things to do to make the trips memorable to all.

Dennis was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings, including as a Bishop and later as choir director for 17 years. He last served with Camille in Family History and in the temple, finding fulfillment as he researched his own and others' ancestors.

Dennis was predeceased by his parents and is survived by his wife, Camille Ficklin; brother, James (Jolene) Ficklin of Nampa, Idaho; son, Travis (April) Ficklin of Cedar Falls, Iowa; daughter, Erica (Jeffrey) Anderson of Grand Junction; son, Jeremy (Sherry) Ficklin of Grand Junction, and daughter, Monica (Matthew) Hudson of Grand Junction; nine grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2016, at the Grand Junction West LDS Stake Center, 2542 G Road, Grand Junction, Colorado, with a viewing from 12 - 1:45 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be at Crown Point Cemetery, 945 23 ½ Road, Grand Junction, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Colorado Canyons Hospital in Fruita, Colorado.