George Carkin

George Benjamin Carkin of Ouray, Colorado died at St. Mary's Medical Center on August 29, 2021 in Grand Junction, Colorado after a brief illness.  He was 89 years old.

George was born June 29, 1932 to Charlotte Lillian Oldershaw and Sidney Leroy Carkin in Groton, Massachusetts.

He spent his childhood in Groton, and graduated from Groton High School in 1950.  He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served as a sergeant during the Korean War from 1950 to 1952.

George was an honest, kind person with a keen sense of humor and a talent for connecting with people everywhere he went. His time in the Army gave him a taste for travel, and he made many trips throughout the southwest United States with his family. He was an antiques dealer in New Hampshire and Colorado for over 40 years, with a passion for antique automobiles, mechanical items and historic lighting. A master storyteller, he delighted countless people with tales of his adventures. He said, “Every morning, I wake up looking forward to what the day will bring.” Indeed, he practiced this his entire life, and his family mourns his loss deeply.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Helen Knowles Carkin; his children: Sally Donna Hoffa and her husband Steven A. Hoffa of Helena, Montana, Mary Ann Carkin and her husband Scott Stalker of Ouray, Colorado and George Benjamin Carkin, Jr. of Lake City, Colorado; his sisters Louise Sylvia Scimemi of Groton, Massachusetts and Charlotte Lilian Hyden of Leominster, Massachusetts; his grandson Jonathan Travis Carkin and his wife Micaela Akasha de Loyola-Carkin of Boise, Idaho, and his great-grandson Felix George Teofilo de Loyola-Carkin of Boise, Idaho. He leaves many beloved extended family members and friends.

George was preceded in death by six of his siblings: Norman Richard Carkin, Alfred Leroy Carkin, Gerald Ernest Carkin, Roger Clarence Carkin, Sidney Carkin, Jr. and Carole Jane DeCicco.

No services will be held.