John Stockley Jr.

John Stockley Jr, “Bud” was born at the family home in Denver on March 10, 1933 to John and Grace Stockley and was of English and Irish descent. He was the second of four children including older sister Grace “Babe”, younger sister Shirley, and younger brother Daniel. As a child he was always fascinated with animals and raised pigeons, then later goats and eventually horses.

He grew up in north Denver attending Berkeley Gardens Primary School and graduating from Westminster High School in 1952. After graduation, John worked for Wright and McGill fabricating fishing rods. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1953 and was stationed in Formosa (Taiwan) at the end of the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1957. While in the Air Force, he learned his trade in Water Plant operations. After the Service, he worked for Consolidated Mutual Water Company in Lakewood for over 20 years and then the City of Lafayette Water Department from which he retired in 1995.

He married Carol Behnke on May 5, 1962. A year later they moved to a small acreage southwest of Brighton, where he pursued his lifelong hobby of raising livestock including hogs, cattle, horses, chickens, geese, pheasants, quail and doves. He continued raising Black Angus cattle past the age of 80. John enjoyed country music, working outdoors with his tractor and spending time with his dogs. John was also really interested in sports and in particular, the Broncos. He and Carol attended Super Bowl XXI in 1987 to watch the Broncos play the Giants.

John passed away on April 29, 2014. He is survived by his wife Carol, siblings Grace Peterson, Shirl Richardson and Dan Stockley, sons Joel (Janet) Stockley and Jay (Karen) Stockley and grandchildren Jason (Rhonda), Seth, Rhiannon, Annelise and Fallon Stockley.

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Highland Mortuary & Cemetery, Thornton, CO.