John DeMers Obituary

John E. DeMers was born prematurely on November 15, 1926, in St. Paul, Minnesota. John is now absent from his body and in the presence of his Lord having died from the Alzheimer Disease related complication of pneumonia on August 5, 2005. At age 3, John moved with his parents and siblings to Denver, CO, where he attended grades 1 through 9 at St. Francis and grades 10 through 12 at St. Joseph. Having graduated from high school, John joined the Navy and served the U.S. during WWII. After the war, he used his GI bill to attend Denver University, graduating with his state teaching certificate and a BA in education in 1950. John earned his MA degree in education at Western State College in Gunnison; his post-graduate studies were at the University of Oregon, and at Dr. Ethna Reed's Reading Diagnostic Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah. John married his high school sweetheart in 1947, and demonstrated his love for her despite the ravages of his Alzheimer Disease. Besides his commitment as an educator for 32 years, John ensured that four of his five children had a college education, and that his son with learning disabilities could read and write. John enjoyed people of all ages, but especially children! He invested his life into the lives of countless others not only as a loving husband and father, but also as a grandpa, son, brother, uncle, in-law, coach, teacher, principal, friend, and as an elected advocate for teachers statewide and nationwide. John was one of those rare individuals in life who genuinely took an interest in the happenings of those he met, and had the ability to converse on a variety of topics. John enjoyed story telling, arts, crafts, carpentry, sports (both as participant and as spectator), travel, music, history, reading, math, anatomy & physiology, geography, geology, the great outdoors, a friendly game of poker or cribbage, etc. He embraced life! He truly lived well and laughed often! John was a resident of Colorado Springs for 49 years. He is survived by his beloved wife, Patsy, of 57 years, his children: Rob of Crestone, CO, Rosann (Jay) Johnson of Grand Junction, CO, Randy (Jenifer) of Erie, PA, Renee (Brian) Smith of Colo. Springs, his nine grandchildren: Jeff DeMers, Mark, Sarah and Jean Johnson, Emily, Jordan and Marilyn DeMers, Matthew and Tricia John Smith, and his siblings: Robert (Jackie) of Grass Valley, CA, Grace Goetzfried of Lakewood, CO, George (Mary) of Imperial Beach, CA, Rosemary (Richard) Turelli of Castle Rock, CO, and Joseph (Kathy) of Las Vegas, NV. John is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Mary (Bodka) DeMers, his infant sister, MaryJean, his son, Rick, his brother-in-law Joseph Goetzfried, and other family members and friends (not forgotten, just too numerable to name). His family wants to express their appreciation to the doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals who helped care for him. John was a man of faith. He revered God and trusted God as his Sovereign Lord and Merciful Savior. John's life will be celebrated in a Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Thursday, August 11, 2005, at 10:00 a.m. A memorial reception will follow in the church's facility. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Kids Crossing, 1440 East Fountain Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80910, or to the Alzheimer Association - Rocky Mountain Chapter, 801 North Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903.