Paul Frederick Johannes

June 24, 1920 - April 8, 2013

Paul Frederick Johannes, 92, passed away in the presence of family members on Monday, April 8, 2013, at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins. Mr. Johannes was born and raised in Rocky Ford, where he spent most of his life until moving to Fort Collins in 2010 to be near his family. He was one of five children born to Adam and Mollie Johannes. After high school graduation, he studied accounting at Barnes Business School in Denver. It was at a dance over the lunch hour when he met his future wife, Dorothy Herold. They married on Dec. 19, 1942, in Pocatello, Idaho, and a few days later he was sent to England with the Army Air Force. He served as an airplane armorer and was a sergeant when discharged in 1945. Upon returning stateside, Mr. Johannes farmed west of Rocky Ford for many years. He later opened a Western Auto Store in La Junta, owned and managed the La Junta Credit Bureau, and managed First Prize Foods until his retirement. He was a member of Community Presbyterian Church, where he served as trustee then elder, and he was a longtime member of the local Elks Lodge. He was a willing supporter of many projects in and around Rocky Ford, including the restoration of the Grand Theatre and helping to keep the local swimming pool afloat. Mr. Johannes enjoyed getting to know people and nobody remained a stranger for long. He did what he could do to help others, often with a little ribbing thrown in for good measure. In addition, he was a wise and generous man. He was an avid golfer and played his last round at age 89. He also enjoyed bowling; watching televised sports, including professional wrestling, the Colorado Rockies and Denver Broncos; following financial news; and gardening. He and Dorothy enjoyed traveling on their own and on chartered tours through Ports of Call. Destinations they visited included Chile, the Panama Canal, Germany, Hawaii and Las Vegas as well as much of the United States. He especially enjoyed short jaunts to Las Vegas where he could roll the dice and take in the shows. He is survived by his son, daughters and their families: Richard and Junita Johannes, Platteville; Linda and Tim Greenwood, Perrysburg, Ohio; Luanne and Brian Kadlub, Windsor; and Jean and Roger Pearson, Fort Collins; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and his sister, Betty Schroeder, Scottsdale, Ariz. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; his daughter, Carol Albertson; his parents, Adam and Mollie Johannes; his brothers, Albert and Edward Johannes; and his sister, Dora Bauserman. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, April 19, 2013 at 10:00 AM in the Community Presbyterian Church, Rocky Ford, CO with Rev. Steve Culver officiating. Inurnment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Rocky Ford, CO. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Presbyterian Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ford-Ustick Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to www.fordustick.com.