John Allen Templeton

John Allen Templeton, known to family and friends as “Jack”, age 77 passed away Sunday, September 1, 2024. 

Jack was born August 11, 1947, at the Nucla Clinic in Nucla, Colorado. Jack graduated from Nucla High School in 1966 and joined the Navy right after graduation. He was a veteran of the US Navy and served as a boiler tech on the USS Forrestal during the Vietnam War.

Jack was employed as a plumber pipe fitter for 44 years. He worked for multiple employers at the Department of Energy and other employers including Tusca II, and Rust Geotech. He was appointed to the Colorado State Examining board of Plumbers and was an instructor for the Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship Program for 2 years.

Jack was a member of the Senior Bowling Leagues and enjoyed traveling to bowling competitions in Utah and Nevada. Rolling a perfect 300 game on January 31, 2018, was one of his proudest achievements. Jack and Velma started Chatfield Country Kickers in 1984 and danced in Diamond Duces and Triple Stars clubs until 2012. He served as the chairman of the Peach Promenade for multiple years. 

He was an avid elk, deer, and bear hunter on the Uncompahgre plateau. He enjoyed fly fishing for trout and tied his own flies. Miramonte Reservoir for brown trout was a favorite fishing destination. 

Other hobbies included smoking and barbecuing meat. He was often asked to bring smoked turkey for Thanksgiving gatherings and treated family and friends to samples before the actual meal. He enjoyed woodworking and in retirement built a wood shop.

Jack was a hard worker and firmly believed in doing things right the first time. 

Jack was preceded in death by his parents John and Anne Templeton, and sisters Baby Mae and Catherine Cloud.

Jack is survived by spouse Velma, sons Jon (Colleen) Templeton and James (Angie) Templeton, 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

The Celebration of Life will be September 21, 2024, at 1:00 at Brown’s Funeral Home, 904 North 7th, Grand Junction, CO. A reception, following the service, will be held at the VFW, 1404 Ute Avenue, Grand Junction, CO.

In lieu of flowers please consider making memorial contributions in Jack’s name to Hope West, 3090 North 12th, Grand Junction, CO 81506.