John J. Laaker

John Jerome Laaker, a deeply loved and respected husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on May 8, 2026, from colon cancer at the home of his youngest son and daughter-in-law, Joey and LaCleta Laaker.

John was born on February 20, 1941, and attended high school in Lorenzo, Nebraska. After graduating, he went on to attend and graduate from Parks Business School in Denver, Colorado.

In 1960, John met the love of his life, Joyce Rains, on a blind date. They were married on June 4, 1961, and together built a life centered on their children, Julia Marino, John Laaker Jr., and Joey Laaker. After a brief time in Sidney, Nebraska, they moved to Longmont in 1965. Joyce passed away in John's arms on May 18, 2021, just shy of their 60th wedding anniversary.

John worked in construction and owned his own business, JJL Backhoe Service. He was a true master of the backhoe.

He and Joyce also shared a love of Model A Fords, in 1973 they became members of the Model A Ford Club of Colorado. Family vacations were often taken with the club, they traveled across the United States making treasured memories. John became known as the "sweep" because he carried spare car parts and stopped to help anyone in need during those trips. He was skilled with tools and knowledgeable about engines, and he built overdrive transmissions for Model A cars for himself and other club members. John and Joyce owned a 1928 Ford Roadster pickup, a 1928 Tudor sedan, and a 1929 Cabriolet. Over 53 years, the Model A club became their second family. They formed lifelong friendships and shared tours, travels, adventures, knowledge, and life's joys and sorrows. Through both their immediate family and the family they found in the Model A Club, John and Joyce built a rich and meaningful life together.

John is preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Laaker; his parents, Hank and Flora Laaker; his sister and brother-in-law, Deanna and Gary Grose; his daughter-in-law, Cindy Laaker; and his daughter, Julia Marino.

He is survived by his two sons, John (Kelly) Laaker Jr., and Joey (LaCleta) Laaker; his grandchildren, Jason (Jennifer) Norman, Heather (Royal) Parker, Jennifer (Tony) Royce, Zachery Laaker, Matthew (Kristi) Baiza, and Jordan McKay; along with his great-grandchildren, Eli, Ivy, Ewan, Kinley, Willow, Taelynn, Hayden, Tony, Zander, and Carson. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by all.

The family requests no flowers. To honor John's memory, memorial donations may be made to the following:

The Model A Ford Club of Colorado - "True friendships are worth more than a treasure of gold."

At Home Care Services, Longmont, Colorado - "The heart of caregiving is not in the tasks we do, but in the dignity we preserve."