Elvin George Tufly

Elvin George Tufly of Grand Junction passed away peacefully July 22, 2023, at the age of 84.  He was born May 21, 1939, to Hollis and Jean Tufly in Steamboat Springs, CO.  He grew up on several ranches around Clark, CO including the creation of Vista Verde Ranch.  After graduating from Steamboat High School in 1957, he joined the Air Force for three years where he met some of his best buds.  Elvin attended Mesa College (CMU) in Grand Junction, CO where he sat behind a pretty, young lady with long brown hair, Carolyn Kerns.  They married Dec. 30^th, 1962, and recently celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary. 

Elvin started working as a lifeguard at Bookcliff Country Club during the summer of 1962.  He spent 15 winters of weekends volunteering with the National Ski Patrol at Powderhorn Ski Area. His accounting career started at the City of Grand Junction as a Meter Reader; he then became the Acting City Treasurer.  In 1968, he started his 19-year career at Dixson Inc., becoming the Treasurer and Director of Administration.  Elvin served two terms on the Grand Junction City Council; the youngest council member elected.  He concluded his career at Ricon Resins/Sartomer as the Chief Operations Officer, retiring in 2004 to become a Ranger at Redlands Mesa Golf Club. 

Elvin loved the outdoors, adventure, and travel!  He and Carolyn traveled all over the world with friends and family visiting exotic places to scuba dive and explore.  For many years you could find them at their cabin at Arrowhead.  Carolyn learned to ski, snowmobile, boat, golf, kayak and snorkel to keep up. 

Family was most important to Elvin.  He and Carolyn raised their son Clay Tufly (Grand Junction, CO) and daughter Caron Tufly Kosters (Colorado Springs, CO) in the valley, attending and supporting all their events.  He was so proud of all their accomplishments.  Elvin’s granddaughters brought sunshine into his life.  Carolyn was his best friend.