Erich James Zwaagstra

Erich James Zwaagstra, age 52 of Johnstown, Colo. was an amazing man that left this world unexpectedly. During his time on this Earth, he accomplished many things and made a difference in countless people's lives.

He served in the United States Army as part of the Military Police Force and during that time honorably served in Desert Storm, Honduras, Egypt, Turkey and several other duty stations across the world. He saved numerous lives including a group of soldiers from an IED while on patrol. He was a humble man and never felt the need to boast about his time in service. He was a mentor to many of the men and women he served with. Among Erich’s major accomplishments in life, things he held close to his heart, was being Air assault qualified and an Airborne jumpmaster. He was responsible for every person on the aircraft that was jumping that day, the cargo and equipment. Two things that his fellow airborne soldiers knew were; they knew who was in charge and they knew they would be safe. People still knew this of him. After the Army, he began working in the oil, methane, and coal industry where he later became an irreplaceable asset in the Oil Field Industry in Colorado. He worked with Noble Energy for over 10 years and during that time he helped drive the DJ Basin to become one of the strongest producing Oil Fields in the country. He truly loved working in this industry, with his co-workers, crews, extended companies and his friends.

He is leaving behind his lovely wife Michelle, his daughter Kassidy, his two sons Ryan and Ethan, his mother Arlene, his sister Kim, his brothers Curt and Greg, and countless friends that he always considered part of his family anyways. He considered himself lucky enough to have been part of his granddaughter, Anniston’s life, who made our big burly man turn into the teddy bear that melted our hearts. He enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his family and friends and always wanted to help all of us no matter how big or small. He enjoyed playing golf, riding his Harley, working on his vehicles, doing yard and house work, reconnecting with friends from the Military and the occasional mid-day nap in his favorite recliner.

Even though he is gone, he will live on in each and every one of us. He never met a person that he wasn’t able to influence in one way or another and will continue to make us all better as we continue to move forward. He will be remembered forever and loved even more than he could ever have imagined. We will honor his memory and live our lives to the fullest as he would have wanted us to do.

In lieu of flowers his family requests that all donations or memorials be given to them to support the family through this trying time.Please send donations to:

Attn: The Zwaagstra Family

Allnut Funeral Service

2100 N. Lincoln Ave.

Loveland, CO 80538

Or through Venmo:

https://venmo.com/ and search for Michelle Zwaagstra to make an online donation.

Please visit www.AllnuttLoveland.com to share your remembrances of Erich.