James Easton Obituary

Easton
James "Jim" Patrick
Easton
March 18, 1949
June 19, 2022

James "Jim" Patrick Easton, 73, of Colorado Springs, CO passed away on Father's Day, June 19, 2022 after bravely battling multiple myeloma bone cancer.

On March 18, 1949, Jim was born in Bloomington, IN to the late Fred and Elizabeth Easton. He graduated from University High School, and received a Bachelor's Degree in Forensic Science from Indiana University in 1971, and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado in 1978. He married Caroline Vigil on May 30, 1997 and lived in Colorado Springs since 1974.

Jim proudly served in the Army Military Police Corps. for five years with assignments in Georgia, Germany and Colorado. While stationed at Fort Carson, he was the Officer in Charge of Post Security from 1974-1976.

In 1978, Jim began a long career as an environmental manager, specializing in air quality. He was Air Quality Manager at the El Paso County Health Department, Environmental Manager at Colorado Interstate Gas, and Air Quality Consultant with McVehil-Monnett Associates in Denver.

Jim was very involved in the community for many years. He founded RideFinders, a ridesharing program in 1976, which is now part of Mountain Metro Rides and was co-founder of the Clean Air Campaign dedicated to improving local air quality. He sat on the Board of the American Lung Association for 20 years and served as a member/chairman of the Pikes Peak Area Council of Government's Air Quality Committee.

Jim was an accomplished musician, singing and playing bass at Holy Apostles Church continuously since 1983, as well as with several other bands in the Colorado Springs area. Jim could be seen riding his road bike around Colorado Springs and Manitou many days of the week. Jim and Caroline followed jazz/blues concerts here in Colorado Springs as well as around the country. Watching the Tour de France was a highlight for him. Both music and cycling were his life-long passions. Everyone will miss Jim's infectious smile, witty sense of humor, positive attitude and pure enjoyment of life.

Jim is survived by his wife of 25 years, Caroline; his daughter, Aimee Hellem (Rob); his grandchildren, Ben and Noah of Colorado Springs; his stepchildren, Shari Chavez (Jeff Hoffman) and Don Chavez (Amanda) of Denver; his brother, Monsignor Fred Easton; his sisters, Joyce (Tom) Seffrin and Beth (Dave) Martin of Indiana. Sadly he is preceded in death by his son, Ben Easton.

In honor of Jim's exceptional life and influence on all who knew him, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, August 12, 2022 at Holy Apostles Catholic Church, 4925 N. Carefree Circle, Colorado Springs, CO followed by a reception in the church hall. The Graveside Service with full military honors will be at 2:00 pm at the Pikes Peak National Cemetery, 10545 Drennan Road, Colorado Springs, CO.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made on Jim's behalf to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, American Lung Association of Colorado or the Colorado Springs Conservatory.