Donald Oliver Colard, aged 101, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2019 at his home in Lyons, Colorado. He was born July 26, 1917 to Arthur and Annie Colard. Don is preceded in death by his parents and seven brothers and three sisters. Don is survived by his two daughters, Linda Billings and Debbie Schneider. His grandchildren Lonnie Billings, Brenda Billings, and Scott Schneider; and many great grandchildren and even two great-great grandchildren.
Don lived a full life that began on a ranch in Spring Gulch with his ten brothers and sisters. Always adventurous and hardworking, he ran away at 15 with his brother. They spent the next three years working on various ranches from Colorado to New Mexico to Missouri. He returned to Colorado at 18, to help his father on the ranch. To keep things interesting, he and his brother Clare rode broncos and bulls at the stock shows, including the Denver Stock show, as well as local rodeos in Meadow Park and Estes Park. Don loved the rodeo life and was quite good at it, unfortunately the war came along and changed his plans.
At 24, Don joined the military. He served in the Army both stateside, as well as in the Pacific Islands. In 1945, he and his troops were sent to Japan as occupational troops in World War II.
After the war, he returned to Colorado where he met and married Betty Johnson. They were married for over 30 years. They lived in Lyons, Colorado, where they raised their two daughters.
From 1949-1957, Don raised cattle, while working various other jobs to make ends meet. In 1960, Don found work at Rocky Flats as a chemical processing operator. He spent the next 18 years there.
In his retirement, Don pursued his love for music and played guitar and harmonica in several different bands. He was seen playing in senior centers as far away as Wellington. He continued playing with the Golden Gang Band well into his nineties.
Though Don was a hard worker, he spent many hours hunting and fishing with has family in his spare time. He was also well known in the Lyons community. He often was seen trimming trees for people in the area. He was even voted Lyon’s Mr. Good Ole Days in 2009.
Don will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Services will be held at Howe Mortuary April 19th at 11:00 a.m. with an evening viewing on Thursday, April 18th in the evening from 6-8 p.m. Burial will be held at Foothills Garden of Memory immediately following the service. With a reception to follow back at Howe Mortuary. Light refreshments will be served.
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