James Nazarenus Obituary

Nazarenus
James Max
Nazarenus
August 26, 1934
August 25, 2025

James Max Nazarenus, age 90, of Colorado Springs, passed away unexpectedly on August 25, 2025 in Colorado Springs.

Known to all as "Max," Max was born on August 26, 1934 in Holly, Colorado, to Jacob and Estelene Nazarenus. Max was the third of four children in his family, which included Lorene, Jack, and Shirley. In addition, Max's nephew Tommy Seufer was raised in the household and was like a brother to him. The family was poor but loving. Max grew up in Holly and graduated from high school there in 1952. He attended Colorado Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Colorado State University) from January 1952 through May 1955, and the University of Colorado, Boulder, from September 1955 through May 1957. Max worked his way through college for an appliance store that had locations in Fort Collins and Boulder. He was also in the Army ROTC.

While Max was attending Colorado A&M, he met his wife Georgene (Wright), who was attending Colorado Women's College in Denver. Georgene was from Rocky Ford, Colorado. Max and Georgene married on September 5, 1954 while they were both still in college. They were happily married for seventy years.

Max served as a Regular Army Officer after graduating college. He had a distinguished career, including two tours in Vietnam (1963-1964, 1966-1967), service as a military advisor in Thailand (1967-1969), service in South Korea (1970-1971), and service in Germany (1971-1974), which included serving as the Battalion Commander for two different battalions. In addition, Max was a Senior Army Aviator. He was awarded numerous medals for his military service, including the Bronze Star Medal (for heroic service not involving aerial flight in a combat zone), the Army Air Medal with twelve oak leaf clusters (for multiple acts of heroism while participating in aerial flight), the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm (for valorous achievement during the Vietnam War), and the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster (for recognition of meritorious noncombatant service). His final assignment before retiring from the Army was Deputy Commander at the Pueblo Army Depot. After twenty years of service, Max retired from the Army in 1978 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Max was a successful businessman after his military retirement. He and Georgene moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming, shortly after his retirement and owned two successful Karmelkorn franchises in Cheyenne and Casper, Wyoming. In 1987, Max and Georgene moved to Rockport, Texas, where they lived for eight years. In 1995, they moved to Colorado Springs. In Colorado Springs, Max developed Tabor Place, a ten-unit townhome development, in the late 1990's and managed the development for several years. In 2007, Max and Georgene acquired Park Manor Apartments, a thirty-unit apartment building, and in 2018 Max directed and oversaw the construction of an additional twenty-five-unit apartment building at Park Manor. Max managed the Park Manor Apartments until his death.

Max was a kind, modest, and virtuous man. His life was dedicated to serving his family and country. Max was deeply loved by his family and respected by all who knew him.

Max is survived by his wife, Georgene; his son, Brian Nazarenus and his wife, Susan Nazarenus (Mischler); his grandchildren Philip Nazarenus, Ellen Nazarenus (husband Ted Herringshaw), and Margaret Nazarenus (husband Brad Oosterveld); and his great-grandchildren Sadie Naz Herringshaw and Dylan Jane Herringshaw. He is also survived by his sister Shirley and Tommy Seufer.

A military funeral will be held on September 11, 2025 at 1:45 pm at the Pikes Peak National Cemetery. A gathering in remembrance will be held following the funeral from 2:30 to 4:30 pm at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs.