John Emilio Menaldino

John Emilio Menaldino was born in Durango, Colorado to Victor and Winifred Mendaldino. He graduated from Durango High School. Once completed with High School, John enlisted in the United States Air Force, and was honorably discharged in 1977. He went back to school and earned his Associate of Art Degree from Regis University.

Throughout his life he worked in many areas he was passionate about, like woodworking, dairy farming with Juniper Valley Farms, owned his own Business in Carpentry, and for the last 15 years he was a chef at KFC.

He met Barbara at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado in August of 1980. They hit it off and they were married on May 27, 1993 in Lakewood, Colorado.

The most important things to John were his family. He was a father, grandfather, mentor and protector. John was honorable, reliable and dependable. He lived his life full, bold and true without regrets, only quiet joy. He was caring and giving in a unique and unexpected way.

John had a passion for rock collecting and he could point out a rock or stone, name it, and hand it over like treasure as if it held the answers of the world. He also very much enjoyed fishing, working and traveling to the Highland Festival in Estes Park and the Renaissance Festival in Larkspur, sharing that joy with his loved ones. He had jokes for days and could talk for hours.

He was a beautiful soul and will be greatly missed by all those he leaves behind.

John joins his beloved wife, the love of his life, Barbara and his parents, Victor and Winifred. He is survived by his daughter, Shannon; grandson, Eric; siblings, Connie, Angela, Rose and Vicki; nieces and nephews, Audrey, Drew and Jeremy; his cousins from the Bustos, Cordova, Huntsmans, Herrera, Rakelston, Munoz, Toa and Voilands Families; as well as extended family Brenda and Gina; the KFC family, and his beloved friends at the Highlands Festival.

A memorial for John will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 2PM at Advantage Runyan Stevenson in Lakewood.