John Sheeks

John Merritt Sheeks, Jr. passed away in Grand Junction, CO at the age of ninety-eight. He was born to Gertrude Eleanor Woodrow and John Merritt Sheeks, Sr. in Duluth, MN, where he spent his youth. After graduating from Duluth Central High School, he attended the University of Minnesota where he earned a BS in civil engineering and a certificate of Bible study. Additionally, he served in WWII (1941-1945) and the Korean War (1951-1952) as part of the 10th Mountain Division.

John was a great ski-jumper, once finishing second at the Canadian Invitational at Fort William, Ontario (now Thunder Bay). He loved to alpine ski, also, and took his three sons all over the midwest to different ski areas. On special vacations, the family would travel to Colorado or Utah to experience the really big mountains.

John was also adept at math and in his retirement years taught Algebra 1 at Mesa College, now Colorado Mesa University. He loved teaching and would often tutor students on his own time.

After a career in Civil Engineering, John became an ordained Minister and was the Pastor of five different Churches. His Christian faith meant everything to him and every one of his churches grew exponentially. One of his churches was in Uravan, Colorado. Uravan no longer exists, but at that time it was a thriving uranium mining community. It was there that John developed his love for Western Colorado. During his stay in Uravan, he was constantly taking his son Mark camping, skiing or fishing. His most successful and his favorite church was Trinity Evangelical in Issaquah, Washington. This church grew exponentially and his congregation loved him. After his last church in Monroe, Washington, John and his wife, Alyce retired to Grand Junction where he lived out his final years.

John was a natural athlete and could throw a baseball curve with either right or left hands. Son Mark would catch for him. He also loved to golf and frequently shot in the low 80's for a round of 18.

John was a great leader, father, husband, and grandfather and will be much missed. "Willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord" 2 Corinthians 5:8

He leaves behind his son, Mark D. Sheeks, of Woodinville, WA; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Alyce; his second wife, Joan; and his sons, James Woodrow Sheeks and John David Sheeks.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. at Callahan Edfast Mortuary.